While appearing in person, each member would be individually asked whether or not they resigned willingly. After verification, the speaker would proceed further.
A PTI delegation, led by Shah Meahmood Qureshi, had submitted 31 resignations of its MNAs earlier this week, to press the government for fresh elections.
However, the speaker’s office found five of the 31 resignations invalid since the concerned PTI members had addressed their party chairman instead of the NA speaker.
PTI’s total strength in the National Assembly is 34, with three members still out of contact.
All parliamentary party heads, legal experts and lawmakers in the lower house have requested the NA speaker not to accept PTI’s resignations; however, he is yet to make a decision in this regard, and is consulting over this issue with political leaders.
An official in the speaker’s office said that Sadiq could delay final notification on the resignations if he wished.
NA session
Chief whip of the ruling party and federal minister Sheikh Aftab Ahmad hinted at the government’s intention to take legal action against Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan for their “anti-state agendas,” while reiterating Parliament’s stance that the prime minister would not tender his resignation.
Ahmad said that a ‘baseless interview’ of a former election commission official was also part of a conspiracy. He added that the government would expose this by taking action against the retired official, who, he added, confessed that he had no evidence. “If there is no evidence, why did he level allegations,” he Ahmad questioned.
“We will adopt legal course against them (Imran and Qadri) for their anti-people and anti-Pakistan campaign. I think these people who want to ruin this country should be put behind bars,” the minister said.
He went to mention all parties except for one are in support of Parliament, democracy and the Constitution.
Another member of the ruling party, Marvi Memon, said there are many things in common in the two sit-ins. She questioned the timing of the sit-ins, saying that at one side country is facing Indian aggression and on the other hand our armed forces are busy fighting militants.
However, a number of lawmakers, including those on the treasury bench, suggested the government show patience and avoid use of force at any stage against the protesters.
Syed Ghulam Mustafa of the Pakistan Peoples Party said that the crisis is a result of the government’s casual approach and negligence and there was a need for a political solution.
Meanwhile, PPP’s Ayaz Soomro suggested that the NA session be convened in the evening as a ‘rebuttal’ of the sit-ins. In the morning, there is no activity at the dharnas, he explained. The speaker said a final decision in this regard would be taken after consultation with parliamentary parties leaders.
COMMENTS (5)
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1) There are now 4 officials, 2 Ex-ECPs and 2 Retd Judges who are leveling the elegations now and confirming afzal khan. . 2) Many many people witnessed the rigging themselves including me, so this cannot be counted as a conspiracy. . 3) The Indian aggression started suddenly after these sit-ins were already in islamabad. So the only conspiracy here can be whether Modi created this drama on the request of NS as a distraction..May be..
Lots of crooks, talking rubbish. PTI all the way
@Salman on contrary PMLN is playing a good game. The delays they are getting is quite working in their favor, whereas, the decisions they are getting are also correct. This is not to be settled right away but PMLN strategy is working out very well in wearing out the opponents, dilute their credibility and make them do and say things they will live to regret.
PMLN not having much luck with legal challenges at the moment.
This is really good sign to filter true democrats because internal rifts within PTI reflect that not all wanted to resign by the time IK had announced this. But they had to do so due to the authoritative, stubborn and self-righteous nature of IK.