It’s official: PML-N, PPP don’t want PTI off the field

• Finance minister requests MQM, JUI-F to withdraw motions against PTI from National Assembly as PML-N will oppose them in case of a vote

Delivering Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif word in the National Assembly on Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar appealed to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to withdraw their motions seeking ousting of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from the assembly, stating that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will oppose the motions if voting is called.

The minister expressed confidence that JUI-F being an ally of the government would withdraw its motion. He also appealed to MQM to withdraw its motions so that PTI is allowed to play its parliamentary role. He said the democratic process should move ahead and all political parties should work together on the national issues.

Addressing the speaker, Dar said that Tuesday (August 4) was set as the deadline by the Speaker for the House to make a decision on the de-seating issue; however, he came up with a reply as he will be traveling to attend an important IMF meeting.

The development was met with celebration from PTI lawmakers.

PTI MNA Arif Alvi appreciated the spirit of the announcement by the finance minister.

The main opposition party, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also opposed the motions against PTI.

As soon as Finance Minister Ishaq Dar elaborated his party’s stance, all parliamentary leaders backed him except the JUI-F and MQM. PPP’s Ejaz Jakharani also echoed the finance minister’s sentiments, saying his party was in favour of PTI’s presence in the lower house.

Earlier, voicing his opinion, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said he was not convening the Kashmir committee’s meeting as some of its members are from the PTI and, according to him, do not have legitimacy or any moral to sit in the committee meeting.

Dar further said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a recently meeting, attended by almost all parliamentary parties’ leaders, said he wished to see PTI in Parliament, playing its role in national issues ranging from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor to the National Action Plan.

Further, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) MNA Sher Akbar said his party neither supported the PTI’s sit-ins nor any resolution that could hamper the national consensus.

“Our chief Sirajul Haq played a positive role throughout,” he said. Lawmaker GG Jamal, representing FATA, said that the country was facing an economic and energy crises and all such challenges needed to be combated together.

Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad complained to the Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq that “had he tendered his resignation, it would have been accepted by the Speaker’s office in just two minutes.” In a lighter vein, Sadiq initially joked, “Just in two seconds” and later assured that he would not discriminate against Rasheed or any member on the floor of the house.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad, in reply to a call of attention notice moved by PTI lawmaker Dr Shireen Mazari and others, said that the government would continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris for their just right to self-determination.

He said the international human rights organisations had also expressed concerns and highlighted Indian brutalities on international forum.

Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said Pakistan wanted the resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris in line with the United Nations’ resolutions.

Earlier, during question hour, the National Assembly was informed that 687 references were filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the accountability courts during the last five years and 309 accused were convicted.

Minister for Law Pervaiz Rashid informed the House that 2,295 inquiries and 801 investigations were held during this period.

To a question, the minister said that Rs 293 million have been allocated to the Ministry of Law during the current fiscal year. Of this amount, Rs 114 million have been allocated for the welfare of the women and children.