Coalition partners vow to safeguard ‘dignity of parliament’

In a preemptive bid against decision of the Supreme Court on a set of petitions challenging the ruling of national assembly speaker on prime minister’s disqualification after conviction, the leadership of coalition parties late on Saturday put their weight behind the ruling of the NA speaker, saying they would stand for the sovereignty of parliament.
The apex court is likely to announce its verdict on the petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, PML-N, and others challenging the ruling of the NA speaker. On Friday, the three-judge bench headed by chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry had directed Aitzaz Ahsan, the counsel for the prime minister, to complete his arguments by 11am on Monday while the petitioners have already completed their arguments.
The meeting of heads of allied parties was held at the Presidency and was jointly chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
A source told Pakistan Today that the meeting decided in principle that allegations leveled against Dr Arsalan by Malik Riaz Hussain should be probed thoroughly by any investigative institution of the state. “The meeting also expressed concerns on a nefarious campaign launched against the government maligning it for a conspiracy against superior judiciary. The participants were unanimous that the government has nothing to do with any charges leveled against Dr Arsalan and this was a matter which should be investigated thoroughly,” the source added. President’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the meeting reiterated the resolve to uphold supremacy of parliament as envisaged in the constitution. “The meeting appreciated the resolution passed by parliament endorsing the decision of the NA Speaker against sending reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan under Article 63(2) of the constitution for the disqualification of the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. ,” Babar added.
He said the meeting called for an expeditious and impartial enquiry into the case involving Malik Riaz and Dr Arsalan Iftikhar in accordance with the Supreme Court’s verdict. The meeting was attended by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain of the PML-Q, Senator Haji Adeel Ahmed Khan and Senator Zahid Khan of the ANP, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri and Haider Abbas Rizvi of the MQM and Senator Abbas Khan Afridi and Munir Khan Orakzai of FATA.