In a fiery address to the joint session of Parliament, the senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader lashed out at fellow lawmakers for not delivering to the public before shifting criticism to Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri.
“This is not the first attack on Parliament. There have been such attacks in the past but this is the first time that all parliamentary and democratic forces have stood firm in their defence against such an attack,” said Rabbani
While recognising that elections had been rigged, the seasoned politician said the PPP had only accepted the results to save the entire system. He said the current situation on the streets of Islamabad could have been prevented if the government had paid heed to the ‘just’ demands of protesters.
"Only a united National Assembly can tackle the challenges faced by the democratic setup in Pakistan," he said.
In a harsh tone, Rabbani censured Qadri for openly denouncing the existing democratic system, the constitution and parliament, while questioning PAT chief’s ‘revolution’.
Rabbani reminded lawmakers of PPP’s sacrifices in the past to protect Parliament and democracy. "Our leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were murdered, our elections were rigged but we never demanded the destruction of the system," he said, criticising Qadri for his calls to end the existing setup.
Accusing the PAT chief of inciting violence and then denying giving any orders to damage property, Rabbani recalled the destruction of the Babri Masjid in India and how extremist leaders had claimed they never gave direct orders to bring down the mosque.
The PPP leader went on to warn that any attempts to centralise power would result in grave consequences. A charged Rabbani told PM Nawaz that if his government tries to undo the devolution process - initiated after the introduction of 18th Amendment - the other three provinces would fight against it tooth and nail. "Centralisation will lead to trust deficit and polarisation,” he stressed.
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"While recognising that elections had been rigged, the seasoned politician said the PPP had only accepted the results to save the entire system"
Absolutely Absurd logic. And amazingly there are many people agreeing to it..... People's hearts have been blackened.
Some people saying let PML-N continue in power... in order to "save democracy". Letting PML-N and then PPP stay in power for a few more terms will not change anything. Things will not get better but worse and the people who don't believe this are living in a fools paradise.
And the kings of fools paradise are those who think people will vote them out if they don't deliver. They will keep on rigging the elections and we will suffer at their mercy for the next 100 years.
Then you have those who even refuse to believe that these people are looters & murderers. SubhanAllah!
It is a good sight to see how parliamentarians have united and in the best of terms only to safeguard their vested interests - this unity unfortunately will further nourish the corruption and bad governance that has badly inflicted this nation for years.....it is most sorrowful for the Nation to see the negative elements gaining strength only to continue to enjoy their supremacy and further build up their savings at the cost of poor person's life.
He said in his address......."The threat lies in Rawalpindi." Oh really? My reply to the learned gentleman is, "United in corruption you stand, and honestly divided you fall." It is currently the most shocking and perturbing parliamentary session to watch on TV. How strongly and vehemently the parliamentarians are defending the PM with the excuse of standing up for "Damn-ocracy." Where are all these so-called legislators when the bread and security of this country is becoming scarce for the citizens? Salams
Heartening to see the parliamentarians standing together not ne essarily for the benefit of the government but for the system. Equally heartening to see the PM being told his errors and blunders to his face.
Mr Raza Rabbani you & your democracy mean corruption, looting, and killing innocent. Shame on you
So, what this standing gave to Pakistan ????
This is the first time all parliamentarians have united against undemocratic forces, but they never stood against poverty, against illiteracy, against bank-balance of politician, against child labor and child abuse, against media curses, against ANTI-STATE agents. But, the one thing against which that stood was their seat of power and nothing else !!!!!!!
In fact it was a shameless show of solidarity of a group of people looking after their own interests.............democracy is just the slogan used to try fool the people.
Thugs, killers and looters coming to each others rescue, what else can one expect of them. Each one of them is working on a selfish agenda instead of working for the country and its down trodden people. How can one call this parliament legitimate when everyone claims that elections were rigged. These thugs are forcing themselves and their leader upon this helpless nation by claiming that they are protecting the sanctity of the parliament! shame on them.
Senator Rabbani the truth is that the Parliament stand united against the real democracy.Democracy is by the people for the people and of the people and not by the Parliament for the Parliament and of the Parliament.After listening to the speeches of the Parliamentarians it is clear that they are thinking about themselves and not people.
@Shah: How is it any different from what the "boys" do to protect one of their own? Whether it be corruption, rape or treason?
I have been glued to Tv screen for last month. I, have seen and heard all great and honourable, in and out of parliament repeating how important democracy and the constitution is in order to rule Pakistan. No one mentioned the fact that the ruling party ordered the murder of innocent people in Model Town. Where is your constitution?. FIR should have been registered. Benazir Bhutto murdered NO FIR for two years, Lawyers burnt to death in Karachi, No one convicted or brought to justice. Simple answer, what they say and what they practice are as far apart as the earth and the sun. I respect Imran and Qadri for speaking out and demonstrating. They have never said they don't want democracy, they never said they don't want constitution. All they ask for is you uphold these values and honour the constitution. Rigged elections are a daylight robbery of peoples mandate. Those responsible should be brought to justice, wether it is one vote or one thousand, it is the principle at stake. Democracy needs to be practiced and not a word out of dictionary to put on a shelf. Democracy, means freedom of speech and protecting the human rights of a individual. Put your hand on your hearts and ask yourself, is there democracy in Pakistan? is there justice in Pakistan? is there corruption in Pakistan? if the answer is yes, than don't stop Qadri and Imran. Pray for their success.
One thing I genuinely don't understand. For two days now we have heard opposition parties say there was rigging, but we have to save the system. Why save a system that doesn't punish cheating? I honestly don't understand this line of thinking.
@Bablu: They both are doing hard at what they excel in i.e. looting this country
Hmm...wonder why parliament never stood united to recover the looted thousands of billions of rupees from the corrupt to make this country strong and people prosperous !!??
The corrupt system is at stake and why shouldn't you all be united, after all, lots of money is at stake as well, you aren't finished looting till now, so how can you let someone fix this system. All the Jackals are now united against one person. Way to go Tiger. All appreciations for IK and PTI.
These parliamentarians are the beneficiaries of the same corrupt system, obviously you all are on the same page. Mr. Rabbani, Aitzaz Ahsan admitted during his address elections were rigged, if that's the case, Imran Khan is right and this parliament is imposed on people of Pakistan by the dictators like yourself!! Whats sad is you all have this ghunda attitude and you blatantly tell the people of Pakistan. ..yes the elections were rigged but we will still support our corrupt parliamentary leader, cause we can!!
Watching proceedings of both the houses makes me sad that majority of these so called Parliamentarians are totally selfish and not woth the status given to them. Instead of addressing the problems and grievences of people who has elected them, they are united in protecting their own vested intrest.
And you will never unite against corruption, i bet..
Mr. Rabbani, great respect for the opposition at such a crucial time, to put aside party politics, and stand together for a greater cause, the sanctity of parliament and the constitution. After the mad Canadian cleric is returned to Canada, and IK retreats to Bani Gala, it is time the opposition and PMLN work to improve the lot of the youth of Pakistan. They deserve a chance to be employed, educated to form a part of our global world, as in India. There is much dissatisfaction in the country, fools such as these Qadris otherwise will again take advantage of such dissatisfaction, with false populous promises, inciting violence and worse. It would be immensely pleasing to see a decision taken to declare this mad Qadri a persona non grata - Pakistan deserves it. This is the second time he has played havoc in the capital city and with the economy, backed by dark forces - should not be given another chance.
Where is the united Parliment when a common citizen of Pakistan humilated in police stations almost on daily basis, kids have no schools and mothers commiting suicides with thier kids just because there is no way for them to survive?Yet all the parties are together for so called democracy. Shame on you Mr, Senator and dont forget one day you will die and you have to face the Almighty to answer everything.
They are stand to protect their own benefits.
WHAT DEMOCRACY? You Blocked all roads with containers & turn off TV channels. Threatened, harassed & killed public... That's what you called "Democracy"? Which School of Democracy Teaches that?**
There was one term about this united parliament that Imran Khan had once said. Which is quite apt IMO. This parliament is pretty much a coalition of crooks.
So says the spokeman of the Pakistan Feudal Party. The only reason the PPP is still around is because of the vote banks of the feudals. They'll never male a come back anwhere where they have to deliver good governance. Look to interior Sindh to see what they can deliver.
Well done sir. Once this crisis is over, PML N and your party must work hard to deliver, otherwise you know undemocratic forces are still strong in this country.
Lol @ Mr.Rabbani, You guys were always united whenever it hits your corruption, benefits or both affairs. Justice or no justice was never any issue for you guys, i repent the time when i got hit by that 'lathi charge' in so called lawyers movement. Didn't realize i was fooled by you all in the name of democracy, it was and is an alliance between all the corrupt forces, Qadri and IK are just out of your alliance, otherwise they will do the same what that one eyed CJ did with our hopes. Mar jao saaray
Imran Khan forced Nawaz Sharif to regularly attend Parliament sessions. I salute Imran for everything he is trying to do to fix our system.
Yes! and the people thank you for it. At least we know our bearings now.
Make this "united stand" into a viable force and kick out these two miscreants from Islamabad. Time has come to teach these thugs a lesson. It will discourage other groups who are also planning to conquer Islamabad.