No agitation: ‘Assault on parliament, PM’s House regrettable’
Wattoo says PTI should raise its concerns at parliament.
LAHORE:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said on Sunday Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) decision to march on the Prime Minister’s House and parliament was uncalled for.
“There is no justification for such an onslaught,” Wattoo told the media at the residence of former minister Ghulam Fareed Kathia in Sahiwal.
He said PTI chairman Imran Khan should not be impatient. He should have raised his concerns at the parliament, Wattoo said.
He said the PTI had emerged as a major political party and it was not possible for the parliament to ignore the party’s grievances.
The PPP leader said the government’s tardy response to the PTI’s demand for vote recount had landed it in the current situation. He said political tensions had gripped the country following the June 17 clashes in Model Town in which 14 people were killed.
Wattoo said the delay in registration of an FIR had led to agitation. He said the PAT had an agenda of seeking an out-of-the-box solution to the problems facing the country.
“The PTI is a democratic party. It should tread on implementing its agenda through democratic means.”
Wattoo said dialogue was the only way to get the country out of the turmoil. He said the ongoing drama in Islamabad had ruined the country’s image.
“The politicians have failed to resolve their differences due to their egos.”
“Our heads hang in shame as the country’s image has been tarnished… only the enemies of democracy are happy about this,” the PPP leader said.
He said the PTI and the PAT should create space for talks to frustrate the enemies of the democracy and the country.
Wattoo condemned the violence against journalists and urged the government to bring the culprits to justice.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2014.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab president Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said on Sunday Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) decision to march on the Prime Minister’s House and parliament was uncalled for.
“There is no justification for such an onslaught,” Wattoo told the media at the residence of former minister Ghulam Fareed Kathia in Sahiwal.
He said PTI chairman Imran Khan should not be impatient. He should have raised his concerns at the parliament, Wattoo said.
He said the PTI had emerged as a major political party and it was not possible for the parliament to ignore the party’s grievances.
The PPP leader said the government’s tardy response to the PTI’s demand for vote recount had landed it in the current situation. He said political tensions had gripped the country following the June 17 clashes in Model Town in which 14 people were killed.
Wattoo said the delay in registration of an FIR had led to agitation. He said the PAT had an agenda of seeking an out-of-the-box solution to the problems facing the country.
“The PTI is a democratic party. It should tread on implementing its agenda through democratic means.”
Wattoo said dialogue was the only way to get the country out of the turmoil. He said the ongoing drama in Islamabad had ruined the country’s image.
“The politicians have failed to resolve their differences due to their egos.”
“Our heads hang in shame as the country’s image has been tarnished… only the enemies of democracy are happy about this,” the PPP leader said.
He said the PTI and the PAT should create space for talks to frustrate the enemies of the democracy and the country.
Wattoo condemned the violence against journalists and urged the government to bring the culprits to justice.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2014.