PM Imran Khan has lost majority as MQM-P joins hand with opposition

Now opposition can oust the PM imran Khan without the help of PTI dissidents in the national Assembly

In a big political development last night, the joint opposition reached an agreement with the government ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). The formal announcement will be made today at 4 pm. The PPP and MQM-P will formally approve the agreement in their respective decision making bodies today. The MQM-P has called the meeting of Rabita Committee at 2 pm today while PPP will convene an online CEC meeting to approve the agreement.  

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and President PMLN Shehbaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President PDM and chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman and MQM-P senior leaders have signed the agreement.

Senior leader of the MQM Senator Faisal Sabzwari also confirmed through his twitter account the agreement between the united opposition and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan has been finalised and after the ratification of the proposed agreement by the PPP CEC and MQM Pakistan Coordination Committee, media will be informed.

This development means that Prime Minister Imran Khan has presumably lost majority in the National Assembly before the final count of the no-confidence motion.

With the announcement of the MQM joining the opposition, the opposition is leading the numbers game with 177 members while the government has 164 members. But in reality, the government's numbers are much less as nearly 30 PTI MNAs have rebelled against its leadership.  The PTI has 155 members including nearly two dozen dissidents, PMLQ 4, GDA 3, BAP 1 (Zubaida Jalal) and AML 1. While the opposition would have 177  members on its side, including PMLN’s 86, PPP 56, MQM-P 7, MMA 15  Independent 3 (minus Ali Wazir who is in prison), PMLQ (Tariq Bashir Cheema) 1, ANP 1, BNPM 4, BAP 4 and JWP 1.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also confirmed through his Twitter account writing that that the united opposition and MQM-P have reached an agreement. MQMP Rabta Committee PPP CEC will ratify the agreement. “We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow [Wednesday] Insha Allah. Congratulations Pakistan,” he said.

                                                                       Khalid Bhatti