According to the News, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, former president and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rahman met on Wednesday but could not finalise a strategy.
At the crux of their indecision was the question of whom to bring the no-confidence move against first: the Punjab chief minister or the prime minister. PML-N reportedly wanted to file the motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, while the PPP wanted to bring the motion against Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar first, and claimed they had the support of the Jahangir Tareen group in this regard.
The PPP's decision was reportedly based in part on a bid to hold the no-trust motion through a secret ballot, which they would be able to do only if the brought the motion against the CM, as per the Constitution.
Another issue was raised regarding who would become head of government should the no-confidence movement passed, inheriting a dwindling economy, conditions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and various geopolitical hurdles.
Shebaz Sharif reportedly nominated PPP's Khursheed Shah, while the PPP nominated Shebaz Sharif himself to be the next prime minister.
The trio concluded that former president Asif Ali Zardari should convene the ruling coalition parties. The opposition party has reportedly managed to secure 162 members of Parliament, but were still 10 votes short to ensure the success of a no-trust motion.