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Parliamentarians seek stern action against PTI, PAT
Lawmakers in joint sitting of parliament term sit-ins as rebellion
INPISLAMABAD – The parliamentarians on Friday strongly condemned the behaviour of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) by terming the sit-ins as rebellion against Pakistan, which should be dealt with sternly.
Resuming the debate on Pakistan’s current political situation in joint sitting of the parliament, they demanded immediate end to sit-ins as Pakistan had already endured irreparable losses. They also demanded to immediately ban the holding of demonstrations and sit-ins in the federal capital especially across red zone.
Sher Akbar Khan of Jamat-e-Islami urged PTI, PAT to have pity on the Pakistan and masses and end their protest sit-ins. He said that PTI, PAT must focus on tackling the issues being confronted by Pakisatn. He said the government must be allowed to complete its tenure. He strongly condemned the attacks on PTV and desecration of the parliament building and vowed to resist any effort of derailing democracy.
He urged the government to concentrate on exterminating poverty, unemployment and lawless. “"We must change ourselves before bringing any revolution in Pakistan. Let change ourselves to have better rulers,” he added.
Senator Shahi Syed said his Awami National Party (ANP) wanted to save the system. He said that the government was not taking prompt action against the killers of the Model Town Lahore. He said that the honour and dignity of the parliament had been desecrated by both protesting parties.
Lamenting the thrashing of SSP Islamabad Asmatullah Junejo, he said why the intruders of PTV building had been allowed scot free. Alleging PTI Chairman Imran and PAT chief Qadri to advancing foreign agenda, he said a systematic vilification campaign against the parliament was continuing since long. He cited the example of fake degree campaign against the parliamentarians and now a campaign against the rigging.
He said a representative delegation should be sent to Tahir-ul-Qadri to end sit-in. While another representative delegations should be sent to Imran Khan informing him that his demands have been accepted and he should return to the parliament.
Shahi Syed lauded the government for launching various development projects. He urged politicians to exterminate VIP culture and strengthen institutions as rule of law could only strengthen Pakistan. He said that he had lifted 65 dead bodies of Pakhtuns.
Senator Mohsin Leghari (Independent) said that a clear message had been sent across the world that all parties were united for protecting the constitution. Mohsin Leghari criticised the detractors of security forces and cited a recent survey showing that Pakistani Army was liked by 87 percent Pakistanis.
Criticising the parliament, he said that the parliament should do practical steps for the upholding of the constitution. He said without establishing local government the state of Pakistan was incomplete as today's democracy gave powers to only a few people. The constitution said that powers should be devolved. He said that the parliament had become only ‘mutual admiration club’. The local government system could have better provided relief to the flood hit people.
The parliament should legislate for the betterment of masses as the better way to strengthen democracy was to ensure adopting democratic attitude. Regarding acceptance of five out of six demands of the PTI, he said the parliament should start legislation on the agreed points so that a goodwill gesture could be given to sit in people that government was trying to resolve their issues.
Quoting point number 10 of Charter of Democracy (CoD), he said the point clearly states that local body’s elections would be held on party basis. Both the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had agreed to establish the local government system after every three years.
Gulzar Khan, a MNA of the PTI said he and companions were not favouring the government but defending the integrity of Pakistan and supremacy of the parliament. “We have to make them irrelevant, isolated and must share the grief and sorrow of people of Pakistan we must increase the opportunities for people,” about the PTI, the PAT he said.
He said the displaced persons of North Waziristan Agency should be enabled to return safely. He appreciated the flood relief efforts of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah.
Demanding the establishment of local government system in Pakistan, he said such enable ensure devolution of powers at lower level. Criticising protestors march efforts to Prime Minister's House, he asked Imran Khan why he had proceeded to the august house by claiming that the protest was peaceful.
About rigging, he said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khatack had told him about massive rigging in the PTI's intra party elections. However, he added it was an individual act and party was not involved in it. Rejecting the talks of revolution, he said revolution was destructive in nature.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk