Expressing resentment over “fruitlessly lingering” negotiations among the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and government, Senator Saleh Shah Thursday claimed that a tribal jirga could resolve the issue within a week.
Participating in the debate on country’s prevailing political situation in the Parliament’s joint sitting, Shah said that the issue of sit-ins should be resolved as soon as possible as the country’s leadership was being “disgraced” by Khan and Qadri.
Lauding the patience and political acumen of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the opposition in dealing with the protesters, the senator said that all parties were united for Constitution’s protection – a claim also supported by Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP)’s Abdul Rahim Mandokhel and other parliamentarians.
Criticising Khan for using derogatory language against the political leadership, he said “dirty talk” must be avoided. He said perhaps Khan wanted to introduce a new leadership in his “Naya Pakistan” by discrediting the existing leadership.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Senator Ilyas Bilour urged National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to take strict action against the culprits who misbehaved with Senator Rehman Malik and MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani in a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane three days ago. He added that the case should be sent to Parliament’s Privilege Committee.
The speaker replied that in he was yet to receive a privilege motion which had to be moved by parliamentarians.
Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada said a privilege motion should be put forth and action should be taken against the forced exit of parliamentarians from a PIA plane.
MQM MNA Rashid Godil called for formation of more administrative units in the country keeping in view the increase in population. Earlier, Godil had a heated argument with NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq when the latter didn’t allow him to speak. The speaker later gave Godil the permission when the MQM lawmaker threatened to walk out of the session. Sadiq said that even though he had permitted Godil to address the house, he would take up the issue with MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
