ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday sent out a clear message that ‘Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not resign’ despite thousands of people staging a sit-in outside the Parliament H led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri as the house adopted a resolution in favour of the beleaguered government.
The premier appreciated the resolution adopted by the National Assembly which backed the prime minister on keeping his high office and condemned the derogatory language used by Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri.
Nawaz, who used to be a rare sight at the National Assembly, has visited the Parliament thrice in the past week due to heightening political tension with marchers reaching the federal capital and protesting against his government.
Though a majority of opposition members were missing during Thursday’s session, the premier succeeded in getting support from parliamentary parties in the house of 342 members against 38 members of opposition parties including PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
The prime minister thanked the chief of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMap) Mehmood Khan Achakzai—who tabled the resolution—by waving his hands towards him when the house adopted the resolution.
The resolution adopted by the house states,
“This House rejects the unconstitutional demands from certain political parties for the resignation of the Prime Minister and the dissolution of the National Assembly and deplores the extremely derogatory, defamatory and inflammatory language used by leaders and members of these parties in their speeches. This House resolves to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the sovereignty of Parliament, which embodies the will and the mandate of the people of Pakistan, and the prevalence of the rule of law. It reiterates its resolve to ensure that the democratic system continues to function and flourish in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”
Though Nawaz attended the NA session, he did not address the assembly. He just took notes during the session and remained busy interacting with his cabinet members.
Many in the house and those sitting in the galleries were expecting Nawaz to address the assembly. At one point the staff of the assembly started preparation to set the mic system and stage for the PM to address. But the day's session ended with the Speaker simply announced adjournment of the hour for the next day.
Earlier, lawmakers gave a warm reception to Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah as he entered the house.
Sherpao questions the agenda behind sit-ins
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP)’s chief Aftab Ahmad Sherpao said that both PAT and PTI left Lahore and arrived in Islamabad the same day and later held rallies and crossed into the Red Zone area for a sit-in outside the parliament house, all this is apparently part of some kind of conspiracy theory. “We want to know who’s backing their agenda,” he asked.
Referring to Imran Khan as 'Kaptaan,' Sherpao said that he keeps changing his statements and decisions every now and then.
Condemning the use of undemocratic tactics and of Imran labeling the parliament as fake, Sherpao said that sacrifices rendered by the nation for the rule of law and restoration of democracy would not go to waste.
He claimed that from Peshawar to Karachi, the entire business-community has denounced the civil disobedience movement. Today the democratic voices are inside the parliament and only a few thousands sitting outside, he added.
Sherpao further claimed that because of the protests, Pakistan could not fulfill its international commitment and a visit by the President of Sri Lanka was postponed.
38 MNAs can not make a decision about a house of 342
Lauding the government’s patience in these trying times, Ijazul Haq said that the government has support of the opposition, “38 MNAs [of PTI] cannot make a decision about a house of 342 members.”
“I will lay down my life before anything happens to my country.”
He said Imran wishes to become the prime minister, but he is using language that “we have perhaps not even used against our worst competitors”.
“What we have seen in the assembly in last few days, is that two parties are on one side, or maybe two-and-a half, and the rest of the parliamentarians are on the other side,” Haq said, adding that “The army is staying up all night to protect us.”
Sharing his 26-year political experience, Haq said that in the past, whenever the government was toppled it was isolated but this time the entire Parliament except for a few, were standing in its support.
While addressing the session, Haq said that those political parties who were protesting, should consider holding dialogue within constitutional parameters.
Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Abdul Sattar Bachani said that we listen to the abusive language sitting in the parliament lodges every night. “I am surprised how the people decided to vote for Imran Khan and accepted him as a leader.”
Claiming that Imran was performing at a musical show outside the parliament, Bachani said it was high time he ends the political drama.
“Will Chaudhry Shujaat, Ghulam Mustafa Khar and Asif Ahmad Ali bring revolution?”
COMMENTS (12)
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@Ch. Allah Daad: First off, if they won free and fair elections, why did Mian Sahib did not have the elections audited? Instead got a stay order disallowing the audit done. Now when there is CCTV evidence they attempted (and probably have done it) to change the results, they're suddenly ready for an audit? Mian Sahib is a bandit. He lives on people's hard earned money. How come almost his family holds key positions? This is not a house, it's a damn country! A family is not supposed to run it. PTI has always been ready for re-election/audit. Article 6 for Nawaz Sharif is inevitable.
The Identity of IK? Tell about your identity - you 'elitist' business minded so called "politicians" with no particular know how of running a functional government neither with any sence on the country's essential issues. You time wasters through self-created issues causing deliberations through your irrelevent commissions. Thats you, current Parliament.
It can not be any clear then this. Now you see all the corrupt leaders real faces. They know the election was rigged and yet they do not want to do anything why because they and their families getting what they want. They do not care about people of Pakistan. For these corrupt leaders the only objective to see their bank balance keep increasing with public money. with the changes Imran has proposed these corrupt leaders know they will not be able to fool Majority of Pakistanis
Backing not democracy but only themselves. Pakistan needs a Change.
Why would the beneficiaries of this status-quot voice the concerns of the poor and needy? The real issue is that PTI challenges this attitude and everyone is afraid of that.
@Waqas Hamid: Mian Sahib won free and fair elections. Don't you know that at 55 national assembly seats PTI ticket holders lost their guarantee money. No party would have performed so badly in any election and still accuse others of rigging.
what a contradictory resolution, on one hand they want to uphold the constitution but on the contrary the base of present parliament is established on rigged election. There is only one likely explanation for this situation all power hungry members and status quo parties joining hands together.
Just because Nawaz Sharif bought those people or used other means of coercion does not mean the entire public wants him to stay. Only a hand full of people support him. Real supporters who are in favor of a better Pakistan support PTI. There is no proven allegation against PTI. It's a clean party. I am proud to support PTI and Imran Khan. We accept Imran Khan as our leader. Let's build a better Pakistan.
Most of the national assenmly members are part of the exploitive system and are trying hard not to let this lootocracy fall to continue thier vested interst.Imran Khan and Dr.Qadri should reject the whole anti people establishment including parliament and Supereme court which is the integral part of the rotten system. If the Army also tries to side with Nawaz sharif or the rotten corrupt system then the people will fight Army also.Nothing can stand in way of Peoples will inshahAlllah.
There is clear evidence that Nawaz Sharif won via rigged elections. There are numerous evidences including pictures, videos, old and young witnesses, and the winning agree tens of thousands of votes are unverifiable. This is enough to call for re-elections. Nawaz Sharif has coerced a huge number of high political leaders to be on his side and keep his position.
The great leader Imran Khan. I am with Imran Khan, I do not see any other honest people actively participating accept for PTI and PAT in ousting the faked leader ruling as a monarch under the label of demorcracy.
It was same type of parliament that voted Musharaf in 2008 for another term of 5 years.