Sindh Assembly passes resolution demanding Nawaz's resignation

Lawmakers say PM has lost moral authority to lead nation

KARACHI: Amid chants of 'Go Nawaz Go' and 'Gali, gali mein shor hai, Nawaz Sharif chor hai', the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a motion and resolution on Friday demanding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif immediately resign from office as he has 'lost the moral authority to lead the nation'.

"The judgment was passed by the Supreme Court in the Panamagate case wherein two senior judges declared that the sitting prime minister is neither 'sadiq' nor 'ameen'," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro presenting a motion in the session chaired by Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza. "Therefore, he should be de-notified from public office."

Khuhro said all the judges have reached a consensus over Sharif's controversial money trail, which is why the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been ordered. "It is unfortunate that the chief executive of this country is now under a cloud," said Khuhro. "He lied in the National Assembly and informed the court that it was his political statement. He has also defamed our [country] so he has no moral ground to stay in office."



Lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League - Functional (PML-F) took part in the debate and not only criticised the prime minister but also demanded that a JIT be formed to investigate corruption cases in Sindh.

MQM Parliamentary Leader Syed Sardar Ahmed said it was the interim decision wherein two judges have given their dissenting notes. "This is sub judice and we cannot comment on it," Ahmed warned.

"This is not an interim order, neither is the matter sub judice. The court has given an order to constitute a JIT and the prime minister will have to appear before it," said Taimor Talpur of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He added the investigation team will be working under the supervision of Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar so one can expect what kind of decision will be made.



After Talpur's speech, the minister for works and services, Imdad Pitafi, stood up at his seat and started shouting slogans against the prime minister. The PPP members followed Pitafi's example and the House resounded with slogans of 'Go Nawaz Go'.

PML-F leader Mahtab Akbar Rashdi said in the ongoing tug of war, the poor citizens will suffer as no one is serious about resolving their issues.

Raza said the case will be remembered as the people of Pakistan cannot forget the large scale of bungling. "[Former] PPP Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani used to attend every court hearing but the incumbent prime minister did not bother to go to court nor did the judiciary summon him personally," she said, adding that the JIT will not bring tangible results given its past record. "A JIT was also formed to probe allegations against MQM chief Altaf Hussain regarding his anti-Pakistan remarks but nothing has happened to him," she lamented.



Khurrum Sher Zaman of the PTI lauded his party chief Imran Khan's efforts and termed the court's decision 'historic'.  "The prime minister should be ashamed and leave his office without any delay," he said.

Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izharul Hasan was of the view that Pakistan lost Bangladesh because of corruption so inquiries must be initiated against all the people who, while sitting in power corridors, have minted money and built palaces abroad. "We will accept the court's decision but the same JIT must be formed to probe Sindh's corruption," he said.

Resolution

The assembly also adopted a resolution and lawmakers from all the parties excluding those from PML-N, who were not present in the House, demanded that the prime minister resign. The resolution was moved by Zaman. "None of the judges of the apex court, be it the majority or minority, gave the prime minister a clear and clean chit.



The judges in their remarks have noted that the prime minister and his family have not been completely honest regarding explanations about their properties. He has lost the moral authority to continue in the prime minister's office and, in national interest, should resign immediately," he said.

After the resolution, the session was adjourned till Monday.

Movement from April 23

Meanwhile, Khuhro announced in a press conference on Friday that the PPP will initiate a 'Go Nawaz Go' movement from April 23. "District-level protests, sit-ins and rallies will be held and the movement will continue till Nawaz tenders his resignation," he said. He announced that demonstrations and sit-ins will be held in Karachi on April 26.