Khursheed Shah urges PTI to end protest on streets, begin one in Parliament

Opposition leader also congratulates Hindu community in Pakistan on eve of Diwali, proposes Friday as a holiday

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah has urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) to end its protest on Constitution Avenue, and instead play a role as the opposition in Parliament .

While appreciating the decision of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to end his sit-in in front of Parliament, Shah said Qadri made a wise decision to end the sit-in keeping in view the internal and external challenges confronting the country, and PTI must also patiently consider the current challenges facing the country and decide to end their protest.

"When we overcome uncertainty, it strengthens institutions and augments to national dignity," said Shah, while also calling upon the government to review its past mistakes to avoid any future crises.

"Voices raised in Parliament will be more powerful than those on the roads," said Shah.

"Here [in Parliament] we can resolve the issues in a better manner. They are raising valid issues, there had been shortcomings in the system but a better forum for the resolution of those issues is Parliament."

"There will be no harm to your party if you end the sit-in. In politics, sometimes we play on the front foot and sometimes on the back foot,” he said.

“I request you to please end the sit-in for national solidarity and integrity," Shah said, while acknowledging weaknesses in the existing system.

"Had we understood these issues earlier, the situation would have not been that uncertain.”

Speaking in regard to the border situation, the opposition leader said, “India wants to exploit our internal political and security situation in the backdrop of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, as well as the situation in Balochistan.”

"But, Pakistani [as a] nation and our armed forces are fully capable to cope with the situation."

Line of Control violations

He said the government needs to forcefully raise the issue of violations along the Line of Control and working boundary by India at an international level.

"India must also understand this. Modi is a politician and sooner or later he will have to sit with Pakistan on the dialogue table to resolve issues."

Diwali holiday

The opposition leader also congratulated the Hindu community in Pakistan on the eve of Diwali and proposed Friday as a holiday to express solidarity with them.

Responding to the point raised by Shah, the speaker said the demand of announcing a holiday should be considered positively.

“As far as this house is concerned, if members desire, it may observe a holiday on Friday."

He adjourned the house till Monday instead of Friday.

Shah also raised issues of migration of the Hazara community from Balochistan and expenditures on the Nandipur power Project.

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