Anyone intending to derail democracy will be challenged: PM
Prime minister says he will never betray the oath he has taken to protect the constitution
ISLAMABAD:
Addressing the National Assembly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made it clear on Wednesday that anyone intending to derail democracy would be challenged by Parliament and all democratic forces in the country.
In his speech to the National Assembly, the prime minister appreciated the parliament’s resolve to uphold the constitution and democratic values, adding that the parliament is the true representative of 200 million Pakistanis.
"Governments come and go, prime ministers come and go," the prime minister said. "But keeping faith in democracy and the constitution is what ensures that democracy survives."
“Nine out of ten parties, with diverse ideologies, have voted in favor of the resolution,” he said, adding that there was no precedence of this in the history of Pakistan.
The prime minster said that he had taken an oath to protect the Constitution, and that he would never betray this duty, reiterating his commitment to uphold and protect the constitution.
The prime minister also thanked all political parties, lawyers, journalists, civil society, businesspersons and minorities who supported the resolution.
He assured the House that the government will keep working on development and progress.
2008 elections
"My nomination papers and those of Shabaz Sharif were rejected," said the prime minister, while giving his party's example in the 2008 general elections. “Yet we campaigned and accepted the election results open heartedly.”
“We did not cry foul even though we had a legitimate concern since the party’s chief was unable to submit nomination papers,” he added.
“The PPP won more seats in the 2008 elections; we accepted their right to be in power and supported it,” he said.
The prime minister said that when he went to see Imran Khan at the hospital soon after the 2013 election victory, Imran congratulated him and assured he would play his role in a ‘constructive opposition’ and would support the agenda of economic progress.
“I met the MQM delegation this morning and we agreed on the policy of reforms in the country,” the premier added. He reiterated that the 33-member committee will play a crucial role in bringing electoral reforms.
The PM reiterated that the economy has suffered immensely due to the protests and the prevailing political situation in the country. “Would anyone want our credit rating to go back to negative?” he asked rhetorically.
The prime minister added that there should also be debate on why and how the current political crisis developed, while handing it over to Minister of Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique to brief the House on the negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).
Addressing the National Assembly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made it clear on Wednesday that anyone intending to derail democracy would be challenged by Parliament and all democratic forces in the country.
In his speech to the National Assembly, the prime minister appreciated the parliament’s resolve to uphold the constitution and democratic values, adding that the parliament is the true representative of 200 million Pakistanis.
"Governments come and go, prime ministers come and go," the prime minister said. "But keeping faith in democracy and the constitution is what ensures that democracy survives."
“Nine out of ten parties, with diverse ideologies, have voted in favor of the resolution,” he said, adding that there was no precedence of this in the history of Pakistan.
The prime minster said that he had taken an oath to protect the Constitution, and that he would never betray this duty, reiterating his commitment to uphold and protect the constitution.
The prime minister also thanked all political parties, lawyers, journalists, civil society, businesspersons and minorities who supported the resolution.
He assured the House that the government will keep working on development and progress.
2008 elections
"My nomination papers and those of Shabaz Sharif were rejected," said the prime minister, while giving his party's example in the 2008 general elections. “Yet we campaigned and accepted the election results open heartedly.”
“We did not cry foul even though we had a legitimate concern since the party’s chief was unable to submit nomination papers,” he added.
“The PPP won more seats in the 2008 elections; we accepted their right to be in power and supported it,” he said.
The prime minister said that when he went to see Imran Khan at the hospital soon after the 2013 election victory, Imran congratulated him and assured he would play his role in a ‘constructive opposition’ and would support the agenda of economic progress.
“I met the MQM delegation this morning and we agreed on the policy of reforms in the country,” the premier added. He reiterated that the 33-member committee will play a crucial role in bringing electoral reforms.
The PM reiterated that the economy has suffered immensely due to the protests and the prevailing political situation in the country. “Would anyone want our credit rating to go back to negative?” he asked rhetorically.
The prime minister added that there should also be debate on why and how the current political crisis developed, while handing it over to Minister of Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique to brief the House on the negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).