Debate continues: NA turns into trial court for PTI

Parliamentary leaders reiterate traditional stance on PTI MPs’ return to the house

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Tuesday session turned into a trial court for Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The house remained divided on the fate of 28 members of PTI. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had already disclosed their vote in favour of PTI.

The parliamentary leaders reiterated their traditional stance. Senior lawmakers Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Mahmood Khan Achakzai also demanded that PTI must tender an apology for their unconstitutional, anti-parliament and anti-democratic role. Achakzai also taunted MQM for its violent role, citing the May 12, 2007 killings in Karachi. MNA Ejazul Haq said that there are two options: PTI submit a leave application or defeat the resolution while putting it up for voting. JI’s Sahibzada Tariq advised voting on the resolution. ANP’s Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said that it is enough that PTI has decided to become part of the system and there was no need for scrutiny.



The two marathon meetings of all parliamentary parties’ leaders held in Speaker’s chamber at the start and culmination of the session also remained inconclusive. Following the heated debate on Tuesday, Speaker NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq deferred the matter for another two days seeking consensus on the resolutions moved by JUI-F and MQM. The resolutions sought the ouster of 28 members of PTI from the lower house of parliament for their more than 40 days’ of absence during the sit-in protests.

Taking back their resolutions on the requests of parliamentary leaders, JUI-F and MQM sought time to negotiate on this option. Vice Chairman of PTI, Shah Mahmood Quraishi doubted the move and alleged that a few lawmakers are playing to the gallery on this issue. He proceeded to announce a walkout from the house. He also requested the Speaker not to linger on this issue and take a final decision today. “Let us know whether or not there is any space for us in the house to play our constitutional role. We are also ready to play our role outside parliament,” Quraishi added.

Vice Chairman of the PTI also recalled his earlier speech he delivered in assembly during dharna days. “I clearly said in that speech and I’m saying it again that we consider this parliament a sacred institution. On the request of Saad Rafique, Qureshi postponed his walkout for sometime just to hear the government’s stance. Rafique clarified government’s position on this issue and briefed the house about the efforts made to convince JUI-F and MQM. He also advised PTI that they should not view each and every thing suspiciously.

JUI-F’s chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman contradictory stance spread confusion in the house.

JUI chief said that the government did not approach him during last week on this issue. However he remained silent when Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq disclosed that Federal Information Minister Pervez Rasheed consulted on this issue with JUI-F chief. Maulana Fazl also briefed media persons last week at parliament’s mosque regarding his meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the issue of JUI-F’s resolution against PTI. During Tuesday’s hearing, Fazl took a somersault, saying that on his request Premier Sharif gave him time for the Kashmir committee.

He sought time to negotiate on this issue. “We are people who believe in logic and argument,” he added. As last resort, Fazl asked Speaker to reconsider his ruling and investigate from PTI members whether or not they tendered their resignations.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2015.