Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali said on Saturday that some of the federal ministers were mixing up the definition of two different articles of the constitution – 95(4) and 94 – just to create a constitutional crisis in the country in a bid to make a way out for Prime Minister Imran Khan to continue to hold office even after losing the majority in the National Assembly.
“Under Article 95(4) of the constitution, the prime minister shall cease to hold office if the no-confidence resolution is passed by a majority. The president cannot ask him [PM] to hold office till the election of a new prime minister,” he said while addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister’s House. He was flanked by provincial ministers Imtiaz Shaikh, Taimur Talpur and Murtaza Wahab.
The chief minister said that the constitution clearly states that the president cannot ask the prime minister to continue to hold office after losing the majority in the National Assembly. “Yes, he [president] may ask the prime minister to continue till the election of his successor if he resigns,” he said.
Shah said that the prime minister and his team were hell-bent on creating a constitutional crisis in the country for their personal interest.
“I am sorry to say that those who were making tall claims of creating a forward bloc in the Sindh Assembly and imposing the Governor’s rule in the province are leaving with their tails between their legs,” he said.
He lamented that a federal minister [Sheikh Rashid] was inviting the establishment to intervene.
“They (PTI) have asked their workers to block roads to create a crisis in the country,” he said.
The CM recalled that former prime ministers, Yousuf Raza Gillani and Nawaz Sharif, were disqualified by the court and the assembly elected their successors as per the constitution but the incumbent one was hell-bent on violating the constitution to create a law and order situation in the country.
“Foreign diplomats are reluctant to talk to their Pakistani counterparts ever since the prime minister brandished a threat letter at a public gathering. Imran Khan is trying to vitiate cordial relations of Pakistan with other countries,” he said and added that the premier has become a security risk.
Replying to a question about interior minister’s orders of arresting MNA Jam Karim, the chief minister said that the federal minister was committing contempt of court. “Jam Karim has been granted bail till April 11 so how can he get him arrested,” he questioned.
Shah said that Nazim Jokhio murder was an unfortunate incident. He added that the Sindh government supported the victim’s family for the registration of the case. “We arrested our MPA when they [family] nominated him. MNA Jam Karim was also nominated but he was out of Pakistan,” he said and added he had returned after securing bail.
The chief minister said that the Nazim Jokhio murder case was being exploited by the PTI government. “A provincial minister in KP is also facing a murder case but his case has never been discussed,” he added.
To a question about the appointment of Chaudhry Fawad Hussain as the law minister, the chief minister said that he has not received any notification. “If he is appointed, he would be the shortest serving law minister in the history of Pakistan,” he said.
Replying to another question, the chief minister said that a working framework had been signed with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leadership. He added that talks between the MQM-P and the PPP were held in the presence of their respective leadership. “I think this working relationship and understanding would prove to be useful for the country’s development,” he said.
To a question, the chief minister said that the PML-N has a majority in the Punjab Assembly but even then Shahbaz Sharif consulted the joint opposition to nominate Hamza Shahbaz as a candidate for the chief minister’s slot.
