Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif entered the National Assembly session on Wednesday to the sound of members of the opposition and treasury benches thumping their desks in a show of support.
The premier received the support of MNAs from all parties, who urged him not to resign in order to meet the demands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek protesters. During the session, PAT supporters surrounded the parliament building on the orders of party leader Dr Tahirul Qadri. An estimated 200 MNAs were present in the session.
The lawmakers on Wednesday called upon the prime minister to publicly announce that he would not resign. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not resign at any cost,” said Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Ackakzai, who added that the assembly session should not be moved to any other location due to the sit-ins outside the Parliament House. “We will not allow anyone to move the session to another place and will hold it here even if we are murdered,” he said. “If Dr Qadri’s so-called ‘Peoples’ Parliament’ has the support of hundreds of thousands, the parliament has the support of millions in this country,” he added.
“We are standing by the prime minister and no one will dare to destabilise the democratic system,” JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman said. All political parties will stand against all those who want to grab power by bypassing parliament, he added. The JUI-F chief questioned ‘unseen forces’ backing Qadri and threatened to disrupt any system set up if Qadri succeeded in toppling the government. “If we go for sit-ins then Qadri and Imran will forget about their small sit-ins,” he added.
“The objective of the Azadi march should not be to disgrace parliament and the Constitution, but parliament should be the priority for all democratic forces,” said Pakistan Peoples Party MNA Shazia Marri. She took the opportunity to remind the ruling party that if it hadn’t set a precedent when Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif had called for then-president Asif Ali Zardari’s to resign in 2011, it is likely that the chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa would not be calling for the prime minister’s resignation today. “Give us a concrete reason why the prime minister should resign,” added PPP MNA Ijaz Jakhrani.
Meanwhile, MQM Rasheed Godil called for the PTI to resign from the assemblies as the party had announced earlier in the week. PML-N MNAs shuttled from one corner of the assembly to another as they spoke with almost all members of the House. The speeches of some PML-N members were also cut short in order for the MNAs to confer with other parliamentary groups. “Imran Khan is not the kind of person to understand the language of reconciliation,” said PML-N MNA Obaidullah Shadi Khel, who lost the NA-71 seat to Imran Khan in the May 2013 elections and subsequently won it in the by-elections. The assembly chair called for some of Shadi Khel’s words to be expunged for the record, saying, “It does not suit you to behave like Imran Khan.”
Prime minister will address the Parliament today. Sources have revealed that Nawaz will take the House into confidence over the prevailing situation.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2014.
COMMENTS (44)
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Interesting how this consensus comes with in hours of US announcement of backing the constitutionally 'elected' PM.
Funny how the threat of accountability unites the status quo.
World knows that Imran Khan and Quadri are doing all this for the interest of the Army. The day accepts the concerns of Army the tamasha will end.
@Salar: I have heard so many people that we voted or supported IK. But tell me if so many people voted and supported him then why didn't he win.
The spent fortunes on getting elected,so no way do they want quick elections as they haven't had a chance to get a return on their investment. These crooks are all in together- Turkey's will never vote for Christmas.
I can not help but laugh at people who consider leaving support for IK over his language. It is simply amazing how these people are ready to leave the ONLY PERSON who is fighting for them and the country and are willing to side with 'leaders' who do not hesitate before making personal remarks about IK. Bravo! Bravo! It is correct. You people deserve rulers who should squeeze each and every penny out of you and then leave you once the going gets tough.
@liaqat ali: Embolden corrupt politicians to blackmail the PMLN? You mean like the Sharifs?! Or their cabinet?
This kind of argument can be made where the top positions are occupied by non-corrupt politicians that need corrupt ones just to play the numbers game.... not where the ruling family is the one with the most charges of corruption against them!
@Chachoo: I fear the opposite. The only thing PTI achieved is to emloden un democratic forces and corrrupt politicians to blackmail PMLN into submission. If you are knowledgable and not very new to the politiocs of Pakistan, then you will understand. .Let me know if you want more explaiananation. I feel ashamed of voting for PTI where they won in Lahore(no rigging there I guess?)
What else were you expecting. The corrupt will support corrupt only to ensure there rule continues!!
Birds of a feather flock together.........to be more clear all ' looters and plunderers ' will support each other.
So the kleptocrats support their king against the population... This in itself should be enough to ask for dissolution of the assembly!
Does your religion support democracy? I read once that Ali(R.A) said that A businessman can never be your leader as he will always put his personal interests ahead of public interests. Now, if we see Malaysia they adopted Pakistan's socioeconomic model and where they stand and where Pakistan stands is quite obvious and that too Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with GDP growing at an average 6.5% per annum . The history of Pakistan shows that whatever economic growth we have was attained during military dictatorship so social or economic prosperity is unattainable under these politicians.In my view Pakistan is more important than democracy which these politicians are dying for to fulfill their personal benefits.
@Anjum Arshi: The reason India succeeded is because they did land reform and gave everyone a stake in the country by giving all a piece of land (I do not fully support PAT but that is one of there 10 points of change). Pakistan which includes the Parliament is run by the few including the Landowners who are corrupt to keep the Status Quo.
The Pakistani People who support these so called leaders and representatives of the Peole in Parliament deserve each other....When it comes to this siituation you come together and agree on the future path and action...But when it comes to all the Problems you have in this country such as the Poor, Energy Crisis, Building Dams, Corruption etc etc...All you hear are arguments and point scoring....You do not believe in Justice and if this Revolution does not succeed in implementing the change that is needed...Don't you ever DARE to moan again about Parliament and all the Wrong things that Keep on repeating themselves mentioned above.
I was a strong supporter of IK and considered him to be a man who can bring about real change in the country. But after seeing his attitude over the last 2 weeks, particularly the immoral language he has used i have changed my opinion completely. Things are getting so frustrating that I am ready to come out in the streets against whatever he is asking for!
@Ahmad Nasser: u need to be more vigilant to look in PmLn how many of musharaf fellows are, corruption + killing in model town and massive borrowing of 4.8 billion per day (state bank report) must be enough for sane people to condemn this govt.
@AGC: Democracy? lol what democracy? More like a Democidal Klyptocracy.
@N Shill: Bahahaha nice trolling man ;) I bet most people didn't even realize.
Finally the NA found its missing leader. Look at the hand shake in the photo. Khurshid holding PM hand with both hands. PM has given his right hand but barely lifting his left. Means, PM still abhors meeting with PPP whereas Khurshid is playing second fiddle to PM.
Lines are drawn: It is democracy versus anti-democracy. Remember: 1) This does not mean we should not hold MNAs, governments responsible for their misgivings, mistakes and corrupt practices -- on top of the list is the KPK government led by PTI and supported by JI; 2) The worst democracy is better than the best dictatorship; 3) Dictators overt or covert are the worst enemies of the country, the nation, the state and the people; 4) The only difference between India and Pakistan is that in India, there is no Army involvement in politics -- see where we are and where India is?
Support Democracy at all Costs! Only continuation of democracy can save Pakistan.
The MNAs' welcome never mean that nation will welcome Nawaz Sharif and if Nawaz Sharif strongly believes that nation is with him then Nawaz Sharif only has to ask the nation thru referendum under strictly army's observation not MNAs and parliamentarians and nation's choice/desire must has to be respected because nation elected MNAs and MNAs elected Nawaz Sharif.Now the nation has to decide that the nation is with Nawaz Sharif or with Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri and either Nawaz Sharif has to be in-office or leave premiership office forever.......
We do not want NS to resign,but he should change his style of Govt.He is elected Prime Minister,but he is running his govt,on personal whims and wishes.During last one year if he has done something about bringing down the prices of basic necessities,people had never heeded to the protest calls of IK.This govt, is all about family loyalty. we had already lost two generations in last 67 years and still not been able to achieve goals of independence.We want freedom from the clutches of poverty,hunger,illitracy,intolerance,tyranny,etc.i think we are into unchartered waters.our demographic structure suggests that younger generation,born after 1990 is more dynamic and daring and they are willing to take matters into there hands ,and fight for there rights.rather to sit back and listen to the hollow slogans of politicians.
I am sure they applauded because he came to the parliament. Nawaz's presence in the National Assembly is a rare sighting!
Is there anyone who can tell me how many sessions of NA have been called since the 2013 Elections and how many times our beloved PM MNS has atended these NA sessions who shows himself to be a champion of Democracy.? Thanks!
@Jami: I agree. I would love all these politicians to live long....only if they would relocate permanently to another country...the respective countries they usually run away to at the first sign of danger...the respective countries where they are all stashing away our money (their loot).
Everyone meeting the leader of the house with applause...shaking his hands on his arrival in the parliament....as if he is a guest. Does anyone know how often does this guy come to this House??? PM or King?
Corrupts supporting corrupts!
@Jami: Then embrace to welcome the king.
@Sara: Your Watan who beg loans from IMF, World Bank, USA and Zakat from Saudi Arabia. Then this begged money go to the pockets of Nawaz, Achekzai and family. Are we not ashamed of this Watan like ours. We must be congratulated on our Watan.
@Usman Aziz: Of course, all the good pious souls like Azam Swati (Federal minister in PPP government), Mahmood Shah Qureshi (Federal minister in PPP government) , Jahangir Tareen (Federal minister under Musharraf) have joined the 'clean' party. Wake up my friend. Think with your mind, not merely heart. Pakistan Zindabad.
Everyone is taking care of his/her own interest, no one is caring national interest. In the name of democracy all crimes of Zardari is overlooked by this government. They can not ask MQM, ANP or JUI what have they done in previous governments, if they ask democracy will be in danger. We need to think we need this system or not?
Insha Allah democracy will win and this long march will fail.
Yes to PML-N. No to PTI. Yes to democracy. No to dharna politics.
Long Live Nawaz Sharif.
what is new in it , to safeguard corruption of one another and keep ruling over masses they have no other choice but to safeguard each other and call it 'Democracy' ........
Nawaz Sharif Zindabad.
All the prayers for respected Mian nawaz Sharif. I appreciate his maturity who showed patience even on dirtiest language used by Imran Khan against him.
Birds of the same feather flock together.
This is indeed one of the best days in the history of Pakistan where we the most beautiful form of democracy when the elected parliament stands in front lines to support the electoral mandate of the people. Jeyo Meray Watan....Jeyo Pakistan !!!
Old remnants trying to muster each other by giving a shoulder to cry and sob on..I may not support PAT or PTI but one thing is for sure, people are fed up with them. These old rotten and failed politicians time is over!
I am just afraid for the next 4 years of this government. After the Imran's debacle opposition will turn out to be weaker than ever. Now Sharif family will turn out to be more powerful and autocratic than ever. Interestingely Achakzai family is another family like Sharif family and the ultimate irony is that Achakzai loves democracy just like Nawaz. Almost all members of Mahmood Achakzai are in the Balochistan Government and his brother is the Governer of Balochistan. So for Achakzai family just like Nawaz this so called Democracy is the greatest and must be protected.
In Pakistan democracy is the second name of Dynasty Politics and nothing else.
Buck up Nawaz Shareef, you have nothing to lose but your fears!
No wonder everyone is scared of accountability... Interesting. That is exactly what feared them before 11th May as well
We are tired of Imran Khan's dharna politics, someone arrest him now.
Imran Khan Zindabad!