ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Wednesday’s National Assembly proceeding applauded the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss petitions challenging the 18th and 21st amendments, saying the decision would have far-reaching impacts.
“The parliamentary parties had certain reservations over establishment of military courts but such steps would definitely prove fruitful in war against terrorism,” said the prime minister, considering the Supreme Court’s verdict has established the supremacy of parliament. He said that apex court has validated these constitutional amendments.
“Political parties have jointly decided operation Zarb-e-Azab, National Action Plan, constitutional amendments and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he added.
About JUI-F and MQM motions to de-seat PTI’s lawmakers, the PM requested both parties to review their decisions. “Both parties need to demonstrate big heart and revisit their motions,” he appealed, adding it would certainly end the existing uncertain situation.
The PM further asked speaker to conduct voting if both parties refuse to take back their motions. He also made it clear that PML-N would not support motions against PTI. He also regretted the recent remarks of Imran Khan against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman. “Such kind of language should be avoided,” he added.
About the miseries of flood affectees, Nawaz Sharif said the federal and provincial governments and other institutions are carrying out relief operation in effective manner. Military in cooperation with other agencies is working hard to provide relief to the flood affectees. “We will leave no stone unturned to rehabilitate the flood-affected people and to compensate their losses,” he added.
Taking the floor, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah endorsed the prime minister’s stance for applauding the Supreme Court’s decision. “It is victory of parliament … Unusual steps are taken in unusual circumstances,” he said.
About voting on de-seating PTI’s lawmakers, Shah appreciated the speaker’s decision for not accepting the resignations of PTI’s members. “JUI-F and MQM should also understand it and pave the way for bringing them back into the parliament,” he said and PTI Chief Imran Khan has no future policy in his mind. “There is a need of maturity as he (Imran) is only issuing statements,” he said, criticising the PTI chief in a lighter vein.
MQM, on point of order, conditionally accepting prime minister’s request remarked that if there was any constitutional way to remain absent for 40 days without informing the speaker office, the party would support it. “If there is any constitutional way to consider PTI MNAs as members even after submitting resignations we will take back our motion,” said MQM’s MAN Rashid Godil, strongly criticising Imran Khan for his recent statements.
Criticising Karachi operation, Godil said that Muttahida members were being targeted in this operation. “They have no objection if only criminals are arrested,” he said, adding that MQM members should be treated as Pakistani.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also asked the prime minister to hold meeting with him to discuss PTI’s de-seating matter. “Still, there is a day to hold meeting on this important matter…You can call me in your chamber or in Secretariat or even in D-Chowk,” he said, amidst desk thumping from both government and opposition benches.
About PM’s request to withdraw motion, Maulana said although ‘reconciliation’ and ‘pardon’ are good words, insult of parliament is not acceptable. “If I will have uttered these insulting words, I don’t know what treatment has been meted out to me,” he said, adding that Imran Khan is still using derogatory language. JUI-F, he said, would always support the government but they should also be listened to them in this important matter. Maulana received much appreciation from both sides of the aisle on his remarks as even prime minister was smiling on the sarcastic remarks.
About 21st amendment, he said that the prime minister ought to announce about amendment regarding omitting the word ‘religion’ and ‘sect’ in the amendment. “It would have created a good atmosphere in the house,” he said, criticising raids on religious seminaries in this context. “Bad image of religious seminaries is being created, which is wrong. I don’t know which powers have inserted these words in the amendment,” he added.
About resignations of PTI’s MNAs, he said except Speaker National Assembly everyone knows that PTI members have submitted the resignations. “You (Speaker) with other lawmakers have also submitted resignations in 2007, which were not verified till to date,” he added.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) legislators did not attend the National Assembly’s proceeding, as they walked out from proceeding of the house the other day (Tuesday) for delaying the matter to take up motions against them. “We will not attend the proceeding till decision to take up motions be finalised,” PTI’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi had remarked last Tuesday before leaving the house.
Earlier, The house passed three bills ‘Islamabad Subordinate Judiciary Service Tribunal bill,2015’, ‘The Civil Servants (amendment) bill,2013’, and ‘The Credit Bureaus bill, 2013’ .