PM Sharif finds strength in parliamentary vote of confidence

All 180 members of National Assembly belonging to Sharif’s PDM coalition voted for the resolution, presented by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

By Naveed Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday demonstrated full parliamentary backing for his government by securing a snap vote of confidence from the National Assembly.

Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced the approval of the resolution, presented by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The Speaker said 180 distinguished members of House have expressed their confidence in the Prime Minister and now the Prime Minister has the confidence of the majority of the members of the House.

He directed the National Assembly staff to put the names of all the members who gave the vote of confidence to the Prime Minister on the website of the National Assembly.

Opposition Leader Raja Riaz, Chairman Public Accounts Committee Noor Alam and a large number of members congratulated the Prime Minister for getting the vote of confidence.

The coalition government of the multiparty Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had the support of 181 members, until Mufti Abdul Shakoor died, leaving the number at 180. All of these votes were cast for PM Sharif.

Of these, 85 belong to Pakistan Muslim League (N), 58 to Pakistan People’s Party, 12 to Muttahida Majlis Amal, 7 to MQM, 5 to BAP, 4 to BNP, and 3 to PML-Q, 2 each to ANP and Jamhoori Watan Party, while 4 were independent members.

Dissident members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were present in the House, but they did not vote either for or against the resolution.