ISLAMABAD – Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Qasim Suri Sundayrejected the vote of no- confidence motion moved by the jointopposition against Prime Minister Imran Khan, on the basis of Article5 of the Constitution of Pakistan, under which loyalty to the statewas the basic duty of every citizen.
The deputy speaker in his ruling said the no-confidence motion shouldbe in line with the Constitution, laws and rules.
�No foreign power has the right to topple an elected government underany conspiracy. So I give the ruling that (the) no-confidenceresolution is against the national integrity and sovereignty and Igive the ruling to disallow the no-confidence resolution as per rulesand law.�
Following is the text of the Ruling of the Deputy Speaker onno-confidence resolution given following the concur of the SpeakerAsad Qaisar. �On today the 3rd April 2022, Mr. Fawad Ahmed Chaudary,Minister for Law and Justice rising on a point of order drew attentionof the Chair that in the normal circumstances under Article 95 of theConstitution it is right of the members to move a resolution for voteof no-confidence against the Prime Minister. He further stated thatArticle 5 of the Constitution provides that it is the basic duty ofthe every citizen to show the loyalty towards State. He also pointedout that Pakistani diplomat met with the officials of the foreignstate and also informed about the intention of that state against thePrime Minister Imran Khan.
A notice for requisitioning the session of National Assembly was filedby members of the opposition in terms of Article 54(3) of theConstitution of Pakistan, with the Secretariat of the NationalAssembly on 8-3-2022. On the same date i.e. 8-3-2022 another noticeunder Rule 37 of the National Assembly Rules, for the notice ofresolution of no confidence against Mr. Imran Khan, as Prime Ministerwas filed with the Secretariat of the National AssemblyThe session of the National Assembly was summoned to be held on25-3-2022. After offering fateha the session was adjourned for28-3-2022. On that date leave for moving resolution for a vote of noconfidence in terms of Article 95 of the Constitution was granted andthe session was adjourned for 31-3-2022. The session was thenadjourned for 3-4-2022.
In the meanwhile Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a public rally on27-3-2022 at Parade ground, Islamabad. Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi,Minister for Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister Imran Khan brieflydisclosed about a foreign country’s interference in the internalaffairs and parliamentary process in Pakistan. The details as lateremerged were that on 7-3-2022 Pakistan’s Ambassador deputed to animportant foreign capital sent official correspondence i.e. cyphernarrating details of a meeting and conversation with high official(s)of that foreign state. The gist of the contents of the cypherindicated that the foreign state was interfering in the internalaffairs of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan was its primarytarget.
The circumstance shows that there was nexus between no confidencemotion against Prime Minister and the foreign intervention and theactivities of that State’s representatives deputed to Pakistan. TheFederal cabinet as well as the National Security Committee (NSC)headed by Prime Minister, some members of the Federal Cabinet, TheChairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the three servicesChiefs, meeting on 31-32022 was briefed about the unwarranted foreign,interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan. It is a matter ofrecord that after the meetings of the Federal Cabinet and the NationalSecurity Committee, Pakistan formally conveyed a demarche to theforeign state concerned.Given the above facts and circumstances a briefing for theParliamentary Committee on the National Security was arranged forbriefing on the issue on 31-3-2022.
Unfortunately the concerned members of the opposition choose toboycott and ignore the briefing. However, as Speaker and custodian ofthe National Assembly, I asked the concerned functionaries of theGovernment to provide me the relevant facts and information subject tothe applicable laws. This was accordingly done. The facts reveled tome were absolutely shocking and completely unacceptable for anyindependent people with self respect and dignity.
I was fully convinced that there was blatant foreign interference inthe internal affairs of Pakistan and the duly elected Prime Ministerof Pakistan was the prime target. When was even more shocking was theapparently close nexus and proximity between blatant foreigninterference and the motion of no confidence against the PrimeMinister also became evident.
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For a number of reasons and save for what I have observed hereinabove, I would presently refrain from giving more and specific detailsabout the foreign intervention and its links to the no-confidencemotion moved against the Prime Minister Imran Khan. If and when sorequired by this august House and subject to applicable laws, detailsand specifics of foreign interference in the internal affairs ofPakistan and its parliamentary process including no confidence motioncan be provided and discussed in greater detail in closed door incamera session.
Suffice it to say that to me it is now clear that there has beenblatant foreign interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan andthere exists a close nexus between such foreign interference and thecampaign to oust and remove the democratically elected governmentheaded by Prime Minister Imran Khan through different means includingthe motion for no-confidence initiated on 8-3-2022. No self respectingindependent, democratic country and people with national pride anddignity could or should ever let such things to happen nor allow itsdemocratic institutions including parliamentary processes to be sogrossly abused by foreigners or foreign states to bring a change ofany Government or Prime Minister as appears to be the case presently.
The membership of this august House is a matter of great honour andtrust for every member. Any action though purported to be under theConstitution and the Rules but for extraneous purposes and goals whichcould compromise the sovereignty and independence of the country couldnot be sustained under any circumstances. Any such attempt must bethwarted and quashed.
The motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister apparentlylinked with and has clear nexus with the efforts of the foreign Stateto bring about change of Government cannot be entertained or allowedto be voted upon in this august House and must be rejectedempathetically as this could ever be the intent of the Constitution.The fundamental existential issue should be clearly settled firstleaving no doubt or taint of external interference or collusion ofPakistani citizens including few member of the National Assembly. Ifany, in this unholy venture.
This would require a thorough investigation by appropriate forum orauthority under the law. However, without such thorough probe, if suchmotion no-confidence is entertained in the grab of parliamentaryprocess now or allowed to succeed and a foreign country is able toachieve its goal to oust a democratically elected Government and/orPrime Minister in this manner, we shall cease to be an independent andsovereign country governed by the Constitution and the laws.
10.1, as the Deputy Speaker and custodian of the House and bound bythe oath taken by me under the Constitution of Pakistan to preserve,protect and defend the Constitution cannot remain indifferent or actas unconcerned spectator let alone be instrumental in thisunconstitutional act of change of Government and or Prime Ministerorchestrated by a foreign state. The present motion of no confidencebeing the very essence of the internal proceedings of the House cannotbe entertained or allowed by me to proceed in these circumstances andhas to be disallowed and accordingly rejected�.