Voting on no-confidence motion against Imran Khan likely on April 4: Pak minister

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Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Saturday said that voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to take place on April 3 or 4. The federal minister made this comment at a press conference in Islamabad today.

Meanwhile, a large number of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members started their journey to the federal capital on Prime Minister Imran Khan`s call. Notably, a caravan of Opposition party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) also left for Islamabad to attend the opposition`s March 28 rally.

On Friday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Vice-President Maryam Nawaz said that the Pakistani people will "definitely come out to rally but only to oust him and his government." Addressing a public rally in Lahore, Maryam said, "People will definitely leave their houses, but only to send you home," Pakistani media organisation Geo News reported. 

Taking a jibe at the frequent usage of "trump card" by Khan, which he often says that he will use for the benefit of the nation, the PML-N Vice-President said, "You only have one trump card and that is your resignation." 

The no-confidence motion was submitted on March 8 after the PPP`s long march in Islamabad. The Opposition is confident that its motion would be successful as many PTI lawmakers have come out in the open against PM Imran Khan. The Pakistani National Assembly has a total strength of 342 members, with the majority mark being 172. The PTI led coalition was formed with the support of 179 members, with Imran Khan`s PTI having 155 members, and four major allies MQM-P, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) having seven, five, five and three members respectively. 

Yesterday the much-awaited session of Pakistan`s National Assembly to take up the no-confidence motion against the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was adjourned to March 28 without the motion being tabled.