ISLAMABAD (August 24 2006): The opposition on Wednesday filed the much-discussed no-confidence motion with the National Assembly against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, alleging his involvement in a plethora of multibillion rupees corruption scandals.

Jailed PML (N) member Javed Hashmi, from NA-123, also signed the motion and dispatched the document to the National Assembly Secretariat, attested by Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail, Lahore. A controversy erupted between the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy 9ARD) and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) over PPPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto's recent statements, indicating support to amendments to Hadood laws and President General Musharraf's efforts to crush terrorism and extremism.

ARD and MMA had a separate meeting before a 'joint exchange views', which culminated in inclusion of MMA's viewpoint in the amendments and the on-going campaign in Wana. A total 140 opposition MNAs signed the motion, excepting Jamhoori Watan Party member Haider Bugti, who was not available, according to ARD Parliamentary Secretary Izhar Amrohvi.

In the 500-page charge-sheet, the opposition attached press clippings and other related material to allege 'massive corruption' committed by Prime Minister Aziz and 'his coterie'. The 'scandals' ranged from Pakistan Steel Mills sell-off to President Musharraf's signing an MoU with Russia for the mills' upgradation, step by step privatisation procedure, Karachi Stock market crash, oil companies, minting billions and faulty POL pricing formula, sugar, cement crises and Mangla Dam raising issue.

All 'scams' were explained through press clippings and these included parts of opposition parliamentarians' speeches and government replies. The no-trust motion is the second in 15 years against an elected prime minister. The first chief executive to face the motion was Benazir Bhutto on November 1, 1989, who survived by 12 votes amid echo of 'horse-trading' shouting, as no such law existed at that time.

Top opposition leaders, including Amin Fahim, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Nisar Ali Khan, Tehmina Daultana, Pervaiz Ashraf and Aitzaz Ahsan looked confident while filing the motion. "We are to be defeated. But this motion, based on corruption of the present government, will jolt not only the nation but will also trigger commotion in the world," claimed Achakzai, when this correspondent sought his views on the move.

After submitting the motion, which is to be disposed of within seven days, opposition leaders told journalists that the government had failed to divide the opposition, calling the move their first landmark initiative.

Amin, Qazi and other opposition leaders said that they shared complete unanimity on the military going back to barracks and holding of free and fair elections under a neutral set-up and an 'independent' election commission.

They said that MMA's recommendations on Hadood laws had been incorporated in the charge-sheet. "After the apex court judgement, there is no justification for the prime minister to continue. He should have himself made an exit, but he did not. Therefore, we moved the motion against him," Amin Fahim said.

Qazi said that the government's bid to divide the opposition by amending Hadood laws had miserable failed and it stood united against the rulers. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan also joined the opposition during the joint news conference in Parliament cafeteria in full media glare, as private television channels had been allowed to cover activities inside the Parliament.

With 141 members on its side, the opposition is surely to face defeat, unless something unusual happens, and the 201-member ruling coalition splits and at least 31 members vote against the premier. There are indications that the treasury members would not be allowed to participate in voting. It is again not clear whether the motion would be decided through show of hands or through balloting. It depends on the Speaker's discretion.

However, the joint opposition has already thrown up a challenge to the government to go for secret ballot, if they were confident of defeating the motion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2006