Sirajul Haq urges NA speaker to delay acceptance of PTI resignations

If these resignations are accepted, under Article 224 (4) of the Constitution, by-elections will take place, says Haq

LAHORE: In a joint press conference with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the former urged the speaker to delay the acceptance of the resignations submitted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

"If these resignations are accepted, it will become even more difficult to solve the current political crisis," he said.

He further added that if these resignations are accepted, then under Article 224 (4) of the Constitution, by-elections will have to take place.

"After speaking with leaders of various political parties, including former president Asif Ali Zardari and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah who visited Lahore yesterday, the consensus is that the resignations should not be accepted so that we have some time to negotiate with those leading the sit-ins," he said.

Maintaining the diplomatic stance he has been channeling, Haq said his party has also been in contact with the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), adding that, "both parties talk about upholding democracy and the Constitution, which makes us hopeful that we will be successful in resolving this matter."

He further appealed to both protesting parties to engage in resolving the issue, and also appreciated that both leaders have come on the platform of dialogue and have managed to keep their "mobs very peaceful".

Haq also said that the army has stated that it will not interfere in this situation, and has urged the political parties to resolve the issue via "meaningful dialogue".

He spoke about holding the country together to avoid the billions of losses it has gone through, as well as caring for the poor.

Sadiq acknowledged Haq's request to delay accepting the resignations, saying that he will begin to look into them on August 25 (tomorrow).

He stated that the leader of the opposition had paid him a visit and had also requested him to delay the acceptance of the resignations.

"I am hopeful that this matter will be resolved on the eve of Monday. Hopefully, when I go into my office, I will not have to look at these documents," the speaker said, referring to the resignations.

He further clarified that he is not in favour of or siding with any one particular political party.