ISLAMABAD - Pushing forward its anti-government campaign over the Panama Papers scandal, the opposition parties have hinted at tabling a no-confidence motion against the National Assembly speaker for showing ‘partisan’ approach by sending a disqualification reference to the Election Commission against Imran Khan.

Parliamentary leaders of opposition parties gathered at a consultative meeting that was summoned by Leader of Opposition in NA Syed Khursheed Shah to review the current situation following the Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s sending reference against PTI chairman to the ECP and PML-N government’s alleged delaying tactics in Panama leaks investigation.

The meeting, held with Shah in the chair, was attended by representatives of various opposition parliamentary parties including Tariq Bashir Cheems from PML-Q, Sahibzada Tariqullah from Jamaat Islami, Haji Ghulam Ahmed of Awami National Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. However, no representative from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement attended the meeting.

The yesterday’s meeting was convened after Wednesday’s meeting held between PPP leader Khursheed Shah and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The meeting discussed the Panama leaks investigation, reference against Imran, government’s alleged disregard towards opposition parties’ demand about starting the probe first from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, united opposition’s protest campaign and moving no-confidence against the NA speaker.

Shah said that they were considering bringing a no-confidence motion against the speaker, however, no final decision had been taken as they were weighing different options to increase pressure on the government regarding Panama Papers scandal.

Later, briefing the media, Khursheed Shah said that initially they have developed consensus to take the things to their logical end in a democratic way.

Regarding reference against PTI chief, he criticised the move terming it a partisan approach on the part of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. He disclosed they had weighed an option to table a no-confidence motion against the speaker. He, however, rushed to say that no final decision has so far been taken in this regard.

He said the speaker had rejected the PTI references seeking disqualification of the prime minister but he did not give any credible reason for it, which is totally against the spirit of the democracy.

The opposition leader also said it was decided in the meeting that the united opposition would stage boycott of the National Assembly session on daily basis in order to register their protest over what he said the speaker’s partial approach.

On the occasion, PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said their party had offered to revise their plan and date of staging protest towards Raiwind if the united opposition wanted to change it.

He reiterated the PTI wanted to take all opposition parties along to push the sitting government to initiate Panama leaks investigation. “We have a plan to take our protest to its logical end,” he asserted.

He, however, warned in case the ruling junta did not honour the opposition’s demand they would certainly opt for street protests. The PTI leader disclosed that the leaders of opposition forces are going to meet again in a week or so to further shape up their future strategy.

About the partial approach of the speaker, Qureshi said the speaker had sent the reference under pressure from ‘big people’. However, he gave strong indication that the PTI with the support of united opposition would avail all available options to deseat the speaker, saying he (Ayaz) has become controversial after sending the reference against Imran Khan to the ECP.