PM summons joint session of Parliament on Tuesday

Govt condemns PTI, PAT attack on symbols of the state, saying such actions are undemocratic and unconstitutional

ISLAMABAD: The government on Sunday decided to convene a joint session of the National Assembly (NA) and Senate on Tuesday to discuss the political crisis in the country in the wake of PTI and PAT protests.

The decision was taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after a meeting with his key aides.

According to the premier’s media office, the decision was taken on Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah’s proposal.

The NA session that started on August 14, before PTI and PAT’s marches to the federal capital from Lahore, is already continuing and is due to resume its sitting on Monday.

It is a parliamentary tradition that a joint session of Parliament is held on important issues.

Khursheed Shah, who belongs to PPP, had asked the government to convene a joint session of Parliament, as a clear message to all stakeholders that parties in the Parliament were united to save the system.

The NA and Senate have already adopted resolutions in this regard. However, PTI which is the third largest party in the National Assembly has already submitted its resignations to the office of NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq. PTI does not have any representation in the Senate.

“The meeting condemned the attack on symbols of the state by two political parties and regarded it undemocratic and unconstitutional. The steps taken by police and security forces to defend and defeat such acts were appreciated” the spokesperson said referring to clashes that started on Saturday night.

Hundreds of protesters mostly women and children entered into lawns of Parliament House breaking part of its boundary fence during intense clashes with police.

However, after warning from army which is deputed to protest important buildings in the area declared Red Zone, the protesters camped outside the Parliament House and did not try to enter the building.

“It was maintained that the government adopted the path of negotiations but was betrayed and an invasion was made despite prior commitment. It was agreed that this undemocratic onslaught should be withdrawn and parties should come back to the negotiation table,” the statement said.

Government claims that during their talks with PTI’s negotiating team on Saturday, almost all the issues were settled and they were about to clinch a deal with the marching parties.

Further, the spokesperson said the premier directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar to utilise all resources to ensure protection of state institutions without the loss of life.

“The meeting condemned few unauthorised acts of violence against media which resulted in injuries and damage of equipment and PM directed Ministry of Information to ensure verified compensation mechanism and an immediate investigation was also ordered” the spokesperson added.

Many journalists were injured due to brazen torture by police at the venue and their equipments were also destroyed.

Chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Science and Technology Minister Zahid Hamid, Railways Minister Saad Rafique and Federal Minister for State and Frontier Regions Abdul Quadir Baloch.