Oppn to move no-confidence motion against Aziz

The decision to sponsor the no-confidence motion was taken during the recent meeting of former PMs Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London.

Turning up the heat on the pro-military government, Pakistan's main opposition alliance has said it will move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz next month.

HT Image

The 16-party ARD, which is spearheaded by Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N, would start making contacts with other opposition groups next week to seek support for its decision to move the motion, PML-N information secretary Ahsan Iqbal said.

"We are hopeful that other parties will join us and even if they prefer to keep themselves away the ARD is committed to moving the no-confidence motion against the prime minister," Iqbal was quoted as saying by Dawn on Tuesday.

The decision to sponsor the no-confidence motion was taken during the recent meeting of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London.

Both leaders had said that President Pervez Musharraf and Aziz should quit by the end of this month failing which they would move a motion of impeachment against Musharraf and no-confidence motion against Aziz.

However, the ARD is still exploring ways to move an impeachment motion against Musharraf.

Iqbal also demanded formation of a government of national consensus to hold general elections next year.

"The military by not accepting the election results in 1971 divided the country. Its interference in future elections to mould results into its favour could jeopardize the integrity of the federation," he added.

He urged the people to get up and say, "enough is enough" and not allow anyone to disenfranchise the people of Pakistan by "rigging" future elections.

"Former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, are not two individuals but heads of two mainstream political parties and had a legitimate role to play in politics of the country," he asserted adding the two should be allowed to play their due role in next year's polls.