After two years of hiatus, Imran returns to parliament
Imran takes the floor after passage of historic bill on Fata reforms
Imran attending NA session. FIle photo
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday addressed a session of the National Assembly after nearly a two-year gap.
Since June 2013, the Lower House has conducted 489 sittings in 56 sessions, the PTI chairman was present in only 20 sittings. Imran, however, continued to draw his monthly allowance. Today is the 490th session.
“The approval of the 31st Amendment Bill was necessary due to the fear of foreign entities using the tribal areas,” Imran said while addressing the house. He warned of obstacles as the current system had been in place for too long. “It will not be easy to completely transform the region immediately. Speedy application of Pakistani laws can endanger the region – we need to implement them in phases as there is no infrastructure to back it.”
Chiding the one lawmaker who opposed the bill, Imran said the opposition did not propose any alternate system.
The house broke into commotion as the PTI chief took on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. “We stood to protect public interest in every stand taken by the party. Was it not our right to raise questions when Panamagate happened?”
“I am happy that a corrupt prime minister was convicted for money laundering.”
The PTI lawmakers walked out of the house once their chief had delivered his speech.
Imran's performance as a parliamentarian
Imran's overall performance in the National Assembly includes speaking eight times on matters related to the government on motions under Rule 18 (Rule 18 of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure allows the speaker to let members raise matters which concern the government).
On seven occasions, he participated in regular proceedings and spoke on points of order eight times, and asked only two questions seeking written replies from federal ministries.
PTI to screen new entrants into party, revised policy to restrict meetings with Imran
“I would have attended the Parliament if the situation was suitable,” Imran told the media outside the National Assembly and added that it was the premier’s responsibility to run the Parliament.
“Fata reforms bill is very important and PTI will vote in favour of the bill,” he stated.
The PTI chief has come under fire on a number of occasions for failing to attend the National Assembly sessions.
In January 2018, the NA passed a resolution against Imran Khan for cursing the Parliament during a political rally.
Imran has also failed to attend a number of important sessions, including two budget sessions and the debate on Pakistan sending its troops to Yemen.
He also did not attend several joint sittings – including ones addressed by the Turkish president, the president of Pakistan and another convened to denounce human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday addressed a session of the National Assembly after nearly a two-year gap.
Since June 2013, the Lower House has conducted 489 sittings in 56 sessions, the PTI chairman was present in only 20 sittings. Imran, however, continued to draw his monthly allowance. Today is the 490th session.
“The approval of the 31st Amendment Bill was necessary due to the fear of foreign entities using the tribal areas,” Imran said while addressing the house. He warned of obstacles as the current system had been in place for too long. “It will not be easy to completely transform the region immediately. Speedy application of Pakistani laws can endanger the region – we need to implement them in phases as there is no infrastructure to back it.”
Chiding the one lawmaker who opposed the bill, Imran said the opposition did not propose any alternate system.
The house broke into commotion as the PTI chief took on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. “We stood to protect public interest in every stand taken by the party. Was it not our right to raise questions when Panamagate happened?”
“I am happy that a corrupt prime minister was convicted for money laundering.”
The PTI lawmakers walked out of the house once their chief had delivered his speech.
Imran's performance as a parliamentarian
Imran's overall performance in the National Assembly includes speaking eight times on matters related to the government on motions under Rule 18 (Rule 18 of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure allows the speaker to let members raise matters which concern the government).
On seven occasions, he participated in regular proceedings and spoke on points of order eight times, and asked only two questions seeking written replies from federal ministries.
PTI to screen new entrants into party, revised policy to restrict meetings with Imran
“I would have attended the Parliament if the situation was suitable,” Imran told the media outside the National Assembly and added that it was the premier’s responsibility to run the Parliament.
“Fata reforms bill is very important and PTI will vote in favour of the bill,” he stated.
The PTI chief has come under fire on a number of occasions for failing to attend the National Assembly sessions.
In January 2018, the NA passed a resolution against Imran Khan for cursing the Parliament during a political rally.
Imran has also failed to attend a number of important sessions, including two budget sessions and the debate on Pakistan sending its troops to Yemen.
He also did not attend several joint sittings – including ones addressed by the Turkish president, the president of Pakistan and another convened to denounce human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.