PML-N seeks new debacle in NA to dethrone Imran

It appears the success of PML-N's plan to push for an in-house change in the National Assembly through the opposition alliance front heavily relies on the hope that "hidden powers" do not intervene to thwart their attempt to dethrone Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Senior PML- N leader and MNA Javed Latif told The Express Tribune that when opposition parties could lose a no- trust motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani despite having a clear majority in the upper house, then why PTI, which has a razor- thin majority in the National

Assembly, can't lose a noconfidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran.

"If our [PML-N's] plan is not intercepted by 'hidden forces' and if opposition parties are given a free hand to exercise their constitutional right, it would be an easy win," said the PML-N leader.

Latif claimed that the opposition parties were in contact with "25 to 30 PTI leaders" for the move. "We are also in contact with the PTI's allied parties, and if given a free hand, we would have far more votes than we require," he added.

He said the decision to go for the said resolution would be made after developing consensus with all opposition parties, adding the same antigovernment alliance front would then finalise the name of the candidate for the PM's position.

"The ultimate plan is to go for elections to get a fresh mandate," he added.

Earlier in August, the opposition parties were left red-faced after they failed to de-seat the chairman of the upper house, Sanjrani, bagging only 50 votes - three short of the required number - in their no-confidence motion despite having 64 votes in a house of 104 senators.

Treasury benches ruled out suspicions of horse trading or any external support and termed the vote from opposition benches as "voice of conscience".