Parliamentarian Javed Hashmi said Tuesday that the future of the country rests only in parliamentary democratic system and the upholding of 1973 Constitution. He said the Parliament should be made more strong and meaningful for resolution of problems faced by the common man.
Addressing a joint session of Parliament, Hashmi criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for not attending senate sessions for 14 months.
Criticising the way the government “manhandled” the present scenario in the country, Hashmi said that if the government failed to satisfy the protesting parties’ concerns under the parliamentary system, it would be the government’s and not the protesting parties’ failure.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president also announced his resignation from the NA.
Hashmi, whose party members had earlier submitted resignations from the NA, entered the house amidst applause from all parliamentarians. Fazlur Rehman, who was speaking on the political situation, welcomed Hashmi in the joint session.
Announcing his resignation on the floor of the House, Hashmi said, “I am going back to the people of Pakistan.”
“I came to the parliament to testify that the continuation of parliamentary system is inevitable,” the PTI president said.
HASHMI-KHAN RIFT:
On the resignations of PTI members from the NA, Hashmi disclosed that none of the member resigned from the seat happily. He said he had also asked Khan not to put pressure on the members for resignations. He added that he “happily” submits his resignation from the House.
About his rift with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Hashmi said that the PTI chairman had promised him that he will not go against the Constitution, Parliament and democracy. He said that he had also made it clear to Khan that forming a technocrat government did not come under the purview of the Supreme Court.
Giving his views on the Model Town tragedy, Hashmi said that stern action should be taken against those involved in the killing of 14 Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers.
He said that PAT Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri once offered him to join his party and also said that he (Hashmi) would be made the prime ministerial candidate of PAT.
“But I turned down the offer,” said Hashmi.