Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday urged members of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to withdraw deseating motions against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers.
The premier met parliamentary heads of political parties on Wednesday and thanked them for showing resolve and remaining steadfast for the supremacy of the constitution and democracy. The meeting deliberated over the motions moved by JUI-F and MQM to de-seat the PTI legislators.
Most of the parliamentary heads expressed their opinion in favour of withdrawal of motions against the PTI MNAs. However, the leaders of JUI-F and MQM sought time for consultation with their respective party leadership and apprised the premier they will communicate the party policy about motions against PTI. PTI parliamentarians, meanwhile, were not invited to attend the meeting.
Sharif said the nation has moved forward in its democratic journey and that the unity of the political leadership to safeguard national interest would be a significant factor in the evolution of political process.
The prime minister said that the political leadership of the country has a great responsibility to work for the collective good of the country while pursuing their respective party policies.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary heads congratulated the prime minister for showing political magnanimity after issuance of judicial commission’s report and termed the findings of the inquiry commission a success of the democratic process.
The prime minister advised JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and representatives of MQM to review their stand on the motions tabled against PTI lawmakers, and requested them to withdraw these motions.
The prime minister further elaborated that the government is now fully focused on the development and prosperity of the country and is fully committed to resolve the problems of people.
“I am very hopeful that the national political leadership would leave behind the bitter experiences of our past and embark upon new beginning with the passion of strengthening democracy,” said Sharif.
The premier also constituted a four member committee comprising Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Pervez Rashid, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and PM’s adviser Irfan Siddique, and directed it to convince the leadership of JUI-F and MQM to withdraw their motions against PTI lawmakers.
The prime minister and parliamentary leaders also discussed a proposal forwarded by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to form a parliamentary commission to probe the perpetrators, financiers and motivators of the dharna.
The PML-N was largely not in favour of the proposal, sources said, adding that a majority of the political parties in the National Assembly, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) were also not in favour of this proposal.