Naqvi announces resignation from PA membership

Says have been witnessing the 'funeral of democracy' for the past three years

KARACHI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) member of provincial assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi announced on Tuesday to have resigned from the Sindh Assembly's membership.

He made the announcement while speaking to the media at the Sindh Assembly's media corner. Opposition leader Haleem Adil Sheikh and other opposition MPAs accompanied Naqvi on the occasion.

Naqvi said that they have been witnessing the 'funeral of democracy' for the past three years. He said that neither the opposition has any representation in the standing committees nor do they turn on the mike of opposition leader in assembly sessions. He claimed that the opposition leader on the provincial assembly wasn't allowed to speak during Monday's session and eight PTI MPAs were suspended.

"Our MPAs weren't allowed to enter the assembly today (Tuesday) therefore I announce to resign," said Naqvi, adding that he regretted not being able to represent his constituency in the assembly.

He said that he had the option to take to the streets to condemn and protest the injustice but he chose to protest against the government of Sindh by giving resignation on the assembly's floor.

Speaking on the occasion, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan MPA Kanwar Naveed Jamil said that barring PTI leaders from entering the assembly by force was illegal and against the parliament's norms.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2021.