On Wednesday night, the Punjab Assembly’s eagerly anticipated confidence vote was won by Chief Minister Parvez Elahi once more when MPs seated on the treasury benches placed their trust in him. The opposition boycotted the meeting out of protest after destroying the agenda documents.
The province chief executive cast the vote of confidence after the Lahore High Court (LHC) declared that the governor had the right to request that the chief minister seek the confidence of the house even while a session was still in progress.
Members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) gathered around the speaker’s dais when the resolution was being introduced and yelled epithets. Members of the opposition staged a walkout as soon as voting began.
The opposition members surged out of the lobby by kicking down the door. They demonstrated against the government in front of the assembly building.
Despite disagreements among lawmakers on both sides, the administration carried out the vote at midnight even though the case was still pending in court. The government appeared committed to holding the poll notwithstanding the commotion that ensued.
Speaking to reporters outside the legislature, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that ”certain members of the Treasury benches were absent, but the PTI insisted that their MPAs were there. As a result, we will provide the court tomorrow with all of their travel records and pertinent documentation.”
The court granted CM Elahi’s appeal challenging Rehman’s de-notifying decision permission to be heard until January 12 (today).
Elahi praised the PTI, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), and MPA Bilawal Waraich for their assistance during today’s session after gaining the backing of the entire house.
The PML-N was criticised by the chief minister for its “hue and cry,” and he urged the group to concede defeat. “I support Imran Khan’s agenda, and we have now forced thieves to stay in their houses,” he said.
