ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence in the National Assembly today (Saturday) in an apparent move to counter the opposition’s ability to challenge the legitimacy of his government.
President Dr Arif Alvi has summoned the National Assembly to meet today at 12:15pm. The Prime Minister needs support of 172 MNAs to retain the premiership.
The Prime Minister announced to take a vote of confidence from the parliament on Thursday last. The move comes after the ruling party lost the Islamabad general seat to the opposition in the recently held Senate elections.
Meanwhile, the delegations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s allies, including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) on Friday held separate meetings with Prime Minister Khan.
According to the details, BAP President Jam Kamal Khan along with a delegation called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and assured him of his party’s full support.
Reposing his trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Khan, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan said that his party stands firmly with the Premier. Kamal thanked the Prime Minister for nominating the outgoing Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani for the coveted post again. “We were allies before and will remain allies in the future,” he added.
During the meeting, Sadiq Sanjrani apprised the Prime Minister of his meeting with former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
The BAP delegation comprised Balochistan CM Jam Kamal, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal Khan and Khalid Magsi.
Separately, a delegation of MQM-P headed by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui met with the Prime Minister and expressed its full confidence in him.
During the meeting, the MQM-P reminded the Prime Minister of his promises and expressed concerns over the sale of government jobs in Sindh, the murder of merit and withdrawal of security from several MQM-P’s leaders.
The PM said that MQM-P is a key allied party of the government and assured the delegation that their grievances will be addressed soon.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) met with the PM and assured him of their full support.
The delegation apprised the Prime Minister that all the PML-Q lawmakers cast their votes in favour of candidates fielded by the PTI in Senate elections. The delegation assured the Prime Minister that they will support the Prime Minister in the upcoming NA session.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz has expressed the hope that Prime Minister Imran Khan will easily get a vote of confidence from the National Assembly. He was talking to the media on Friday evening, after a parliamentary party meeting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies.
The minister said almost all the members belonging to PTI and its allied parties reposed their trust in the leadership of Imran Khan in the meeting, which will be demonstrated in the Parliament as well.
Faraz said that Imran Khan believes in politics of morality and not in the politics for power. He said, “Our party took practical steps to eliminate the culture of money from Pakistan’s politics.” He said unfortunately, the opposition did not cooperate with the government for transparency in the Senate elections.
Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also spoke to the media and said that 179 MNAs will repose trust in Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Netizens flocked to Twitter to laud the ‘bravery’ of the ‘Kaptaan’ amid the taunts and trials presented by the opposing party. And celebrities weren’t far behind either in lending their support to the PM, who has accused the opposition of indulging in corrupt practices to win the hotly-contested Senate elections.
Taking to the micro-blogging site, renowned music producer Rohail Hyatt wrote, “OMG, I got my yes moment after watching your speech today @ImranKhanPTI! Say no to corruption and get ready for a fight! Enough is really enough! What a brave leader you are indeed – with you all the way.”
Prior to his praise for the address, the former Vital Signs member tweeted, “In my lifetime I have only had the privilege of calling one person my leader. This person is Imran Khan. Honestly outweighs everything else IMO. Setbacks aside, I am certain he will succeed in his mission, IA.”
Veena Malik also chimed in saying, “I stand for a corruption free Pakistan, I stand with #PMImranKhan #BehindYouSkipper.”
Whereas designer and Creative head of Elan, Khadija Shah, tweeted, “For anyone with even an ounce of love for Pakistan and its people, there is no option but @ImranKhanPTI. May those who sold their souls rot in hell inshallah! #BehindYouSkipper”
Actor Imran Abbas also shared Khan’s address on his Instagram stories saying, “Proud of you Imran Khan.”
Whereas Strings frontman, Bilal Maqsood, simply shared a photo of Khan on his Instagram stories to convey whose side he was on. “Here’s hoping true democracy prevails.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed that the tax regime be reformed and structured in such a way that facilitates businesses and helps the economy grow.
The Prime Minister said this while chairing a meeting regarding tax reforms on Friday.
The Prime Minister said the objective of tax reforms is to make the tax code simple and plug existing loopholes in the system. He said the tax reforms are aimed at reducing discretionary powers of tax collectors and tax practitioners besides introducing automation to ensure transparency of the tax system. The Prime Minister directed to especially focus on the issue of flying invoices.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Planning Asad Umar and Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar. Advisors Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Dr Isharat Hussain, Dr Waqar Masood, Tabish Gohar, Nadeem Babar, chairman investment board and other senior officials were also among those in attendance.
Earlier on Wednesday last, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) started harmonising Inland Revenue codes in order to simplify and consolidate the tax laws. The harmonisation of IR codes has been started under World Bank funded ‘Pakistan Raises Revenue Project’. The FBR said that it had received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Pakistan Raises Revenue Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The FBR said the government of Pakistan is implementing a reforms programme to mobilise domestic revenues to finance its development vision. The overall objective of the project is to “contribute to a sustainable increase in domestic revenue by broadening the tax base and facilitating compliance”. The duration of the implementation of the project is five-years (2020-2024). – TLTP