Responding to criticism: Use parliament, not streets, MPs told

LAHORE: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq advised lawmakers to use the platform of parliament to let people know their stance on issues rather than agitate on the streets. “Such actions cause more harm than good,” the speaker told reporters in his constituency. Sadiq said those who resort to the politics of sit-ins rather than coming to parliament should first think about the interests of the country.  He said the government had exercised tolerance and allowed political parties to protest but some people wanted bloodshed in the country. He said that all political parties were united in the parliament on Kashmir except PTI. Sadiq added that a strong message was sent to India that atrocities in the disputed valley should come to an end.  In the current confrontation with India, all political forces should unite against the aggressive designs of India. The Speaker reiterated that the government was ready to thwart any conspiracies against CPEC.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2016.