MQM, JUI-F withdraw motions seeking to de-seat PTI MNAs

Parties had filed motions seeking to de-seat PTI MNAs for remaining absent from lower house for more than 40 days

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) withdrew on Thursday their motions seeking to de-seat Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers.

On behalf of MQM, Salman Khan Baloch moved the withdrawal motion while on JUI-F's behalf, Naeema Kishwar Khan moved the withdrawal motion.

The withdrawal comes after Sadiq requested on Wednesday MQM chief Altaf Hussain to withdraw his party’s motion to de-seat PTI parliamentarians. Sadiq spoke to Altaf via a telephonic call for about 10 minutes, after which the MQM chief assured he would consider discussing his request with party members.

The MQM and Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F had filed motions seeking to de-seat PTI's lawmakers for remaining absent from the lower house for more than 40 days.

Read: NA speaker requests Altaf to withdraw motion to de-seat PTI MNAs

“We are ready to sacrifice anything for strengthening democracy,” Maulana Fazlur Rahman said while addressing the National Assembly.

The JUI-F leader added, “When majority decides something then minority should respect it.”

“The JUI-F has have always tried to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation”

Further, MQM’s Farooq Sattar thanked the NA speaker for conveying Altaf Hussain’s statement.

“Altaf Hussain has taken the resolution back on the request of the NA speaker, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and leaders of other political parties,” Sattar added.

Read: ‘Will lead re-election campaign myself if we are deseated from NA’

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq told the parliamentarians that he had personally called the MQM chief and informed him that his statements hurt the sentiments of the nation.

“I told him that the Pakistan Army and Rangers have rendered countless sacrifices for the nation to which he agreed,” the speaker claimed. He further said that he had asked the MQM supremo to say it publicly; however, Altaf asked him to convey his feelings to the parliamentarians and the nation.

Addressing the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah termed the withdrawal of motions a victory for democracy.

Khursheed lauded the role of NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq in pursuing the matter of de-seating of PTI lawmakers. “We have sacrificed a lot for bringing democracy to the country,” he added.

Earlier today, the leaders of all parliamentary parties met National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to consider the government's suggestion to withdraw their motion to de-seat PTI parliamentarians.



In a recent meeting with parliamentary parties, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made it clear that he "wants to see the PTI in Parliament”. He requested the MQM to withdraw its motion against the PTI so that the matter could not become a record of Parliament.

Read: Will lead re-election campaign myself if we are deseated from NA: Imran

However, PTI chairman Imran Khan said he would lead the party’s re-election campaign himself if PTI members are de-seated from the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, while appreciating the MQM and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said all parties in Pakistan were acting responsibly, which will strengthen democracy and Pakistan.

Sattar said his party had retracted the motion to de-seat PTI MNAs back in order to save Parliament from disorder.

“We stand by our views even after taking the de-seating resolution back,” the MQM leader said, alleging that the PTI violated the clause 1 of Article 64, and Article 40 of the Constitution.