Abbasi apologises for role in ‘shameful’ NA

ISLAMABAD:

Lashing out at the "worst National Assembly of country's history", senior PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday took aim at his own government for eroding people’s trust in the system, saying a legislature without a genuine opposition is nothing but a lame duck.

He said the dissolution of the assembly had come as a source of relief for the people as they have been finally "rescued" from it, admitting that his own party did nothing in its otherwise fast-paced legislations for the common people.

In a blistering criticism of the government, Abbasi expressed his deep regret for his part in "the worst National Assembly in the history of Pakistan" and offered an apology to the people of Pakistan for his role in what he considered a legislature that did nothing for its citizens.

Abbasi deplored that nothing has been done to serve the people as there was a widespread impression that the majority of the lawmakers in the legislature were corrupt. He further expressed that the damage caused by the former National Assembly speaker was unprecedented.

Abbasi raised concerns about tax collectors in the country, questioning whether they themselves paid their taxes. He asked whether assembly members fulfilled their own tax obligations while expecting common people to do so.

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Speaking to the media outside the parliament house, Abbasi did not hold back in his scathing criticism of the government led by his own party. He labelled the five-year tenure of the current assembly as nothing short of shameful.

“I apologise to the people of Pakistan for being a part of the worst assembly. I am ashamed that I was a part of this assembly. This assembly did nothing for the people.”

Abbasi acknowledged that rectifying the current situation would take at least ten years while stressing the collective responsibility to correct the direction of the country.

He said that the system has been destroyed and people's trust in the government has been eroded.

Despite his regret, Abbasi accepted responsibility for his role in constituting the assembly and added that history will eventually pass judgment on the actions taken during that time, pointing out that only the assembly members benefited while the people suffered tremendously.

Highlighting the shame he felt over the events of the past five years in the assembly, Abbasi said that a legislature is incomplete without genuine opposition and emphasised that it was the responsibility of those who come after to restore the respect of the assembly.

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Abbasi also commented on the recent legislative activities of the government, expressing his lament over the passing of forty university bills at a rapid clip in the last week of the assembly.

He regretted that there was a widespread impression that all members of the National Assembly are corrupt, asserting that their actions have justified this perception.

Furthermore, Abbasi noted that the National Assembly was the only institution that burdens the people.

When it came to the recent arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, Abbasi clarified that he did not desire to see him imprisoned.

However, he added that if the PTI chief is innocent, justice will eventually prevail. Abbasi recommended that Khan take some time for self-reflection on the actions that led to his incarceration.

Abbasi's candid remarks came during a critical moment in the farewell session of the National Assembly. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his plan to submit a summary for the dissolution of the National Assembly to President Arif Alvi later that evening.