According to sources, Raja Pervez Ashraf, speaker of the National Assembly, has granted the resignations of an additional 43 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members serving in the lower house.
Under the condition of anonymity, representatives of the speaker’s office claimed that Ashraf had approved the resignations a few days prior and had given a summary to the Pakistani Election Commission (ECP).
With the approval, the National Assembly is now comprised solely of PTI lawmakers who are in opposition. It’s interesting that the resignations were approved a day after 45 PTI MNAs attempted to meet with the speaker to get their resignations revoked.
Fawad Chauhdry, a senior PTI leader, claimed that Raja Riaz’s removal as opposition leader was the primary motivation for the PTI’s small-scale return to the assembly because it was of “little relevance.”
“Right now, Shehbaz Sharif has lost the support of 172 members and is relying on lotas (turncoats) to save his government,” tweeted Fawad. As a result of the speaker’s actions to save Raja Riaz, 40% of seats are now vacant, he added.
“Country is close to elections now. The only solution to this problem is general polls,” said Fawad.
