PESHAWAR: Despite a majority of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed lawmakers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, reports of a possible no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Sohail Afridi have started circulating, adding to uncertainty over the province’s political situation.
Political affiliations and possible grouping among treasury members are being viewed as key challenges for the provincial government. Following the postponement of the September 27 protest, speculation has intensified over possible political developments in the province, with several options being discussed, including a change of chief minister, an in-house change, dissolution of the provincial assembly and a no-confidence motion.
What does the Constitution say?
Under Article 136 of the Constitution, a no-confidence resolution against a provincial chief minister can be moved by at least 20% of the total membership of the provincial assembly.
Once the resolution is moved, voting on it cannot take place before three days or later than seven days from the day it is moved.
If the resolution is passed by a majority of the total membership of the provincial assembly, the chief minister cannot continue in office.
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There is also another constitutional mechanism under Article 130(7). If the governor believes that the chief minister no longer commands the confidence of the majority of the assembly, the governor may require the chief minister to obtain a vote of confidence from the house.
In such a situation, the chief minister would have to demonstrate that he still enjoys the support of a majority of lawmakers.
The emerging political debate in KP has therefore brought both the no-confidence and confidence-vote mechanisms into focus as possible constitutional routes for determining whether the chief minister continues to command a majority in the provincial assembly.
