As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ups the ante for its ‘decisive’ November 30 rally in the federal capital, the National Assembly will open Wednesday evening a session that will continue for three weeks, a senior official said.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is to brief his fellow lawmakers on Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the overall political situation in the country. He will also take the house into confidence on the government’s stance on PTI’s November 30 rally.
All parliamentary parties are expected to reiterate their support for the current democratic set-up. Qaumi Wattan Party chief Aftab Ahmad Sherpao told The Express Tribune that his party could not possibly back Imran Khan’s call for mid-term elections. “We also want to see the PTI completing its five-year constitutional tenure in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.
Originally, the National Assembly session was scheduled to open on November 17. However, it was delayed for Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah who was out of the country.
A senior politician told The Express Tribune that all political parties would give a clear message to the establishment that they were united and would resist any unconstitutional step. “A joint session of parliament had frustrated the designs of PTI and PAT to topple the government. Once again parliament will stand against any such threat,” he added.
The government has offered even to facilitate the PTI if its rally remains peaceful. However, government officials have warned that they would not allow anybody to create a law and order situation in the federal capital.
Last week, the interior minister said that army troops requisitioned earlier under Article 245 of the Constitution have been withdrawn and now civilian law enforcement agencies would guard key buildings in Islamabad.
Authorities have been restricting entry to certain areas by placing shipping containers and barbed wire.
An MP from the ruling PML-N said that the heads of all parliamentary parties would be asked to take part in debates on internally displaced persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan and PTI’s rally. “The house will send a strong message to Imran and his supporters who are maligning parliament, the judiciary and the media,” he added.
Apart from the PTI rally, other items on the National Assembly agenda include a Q&A session and debate on the presidential address.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2014.
COMMENTS (8)
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@Zohaib: A fake parliament is not supreme though. Something that you don't understand.
@Rehan Khan: Can you tell me what is being ignored?I see considerable improvements in cleanliness,police. Even though I go to private clinics and send my children to private schools I have heard that there is an improvement in Health & Education sectors. I know that we are not New York or London or Paris, but there is improvement, what more can they do? please tell me, maybe I am wrong..
This is totally illogical protest. PTI should focus on KPK. My province KPK is continuously being ignored by PTI.
@Zohaib: You are right PTI should take over this fake parliament and send the speaker to Adiala for election rigging.
Parliament is supreme, something Imran Khan doesn't get. Instead of attacking state institutions, he should sit in the parliament and ask his ministers to do the same as they continue to draw salaries and perks without doing what they were elected for. Should a change come it should come from within the system. On a different note I think PMLn is doing a better job than their predecessors PPP & Mush
A whole session with public money just to counter PTI rally instead of working on something productive.
Originally, the National Assembly session was scheduled to open on November 17. However, it was delayed for Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah who was out of the country.
Complete fabrication. The pathetic Non League delayed it for political expediency. Such is their respect for parliament that one loser "leader" of opposition goes shopping at Harrod's and the session of the entire assembley get cancelled. Talk about making a complete farce out of our institutions. This trash has to be removed in order for our country to become a republic of the people, not a bazaar for political thugs!