- NA approves resolution for upholding parliament’s supremacy as both parties withdraw motion seeking PTI’s ousting
- MQM leader says party took back motion to stabilise democracy while JUI-F chief says it valued requests by PM, other parties
A day after the government said it had successfully managed to convince the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam –Fazl (JUI-F) to withdraw its resolution against the lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday informed the House that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has agreed to withdraw his party’s motion to de-seat the Imran Khan-led party.
The NA speaker said the MQM chief made the decision to withdraw the motion during a telephonic conversation the previous night. “I spoke to Altaf Hussain, not happily, but to talk to him about not issuing statements against the armed forces,” he said.
“Altaf Hussain told me that the army and armed forces are brothers. I also spoke to him about the matter of de-seating PTI MNAs. He said he would consult his colleagues. Later in the night, Altaf Hussain contacted me. I am happy to announce that the MQM has agreed to take back its de-seating motion in the greater national interest,” he said, adding that JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman had also withdrawn his party’s motion.
Salman Khan Baloch had moved the withdrawal motion on behalf of the MQM while Naeema Kishwar Khan moved the same on behalf of the JUI-F.
NA opposition leader Khursheed Shah said, “Today is a day of victory for the parliament. We have not only protected PTI but its supporters as well. Maulana Fazlur Rehman has exhibited a great heart which is a positive sign for the days to come. The voters should not be punished for the mistakes of others. We will have to amend our attitude and move ahead.”
Moreover, the NA also unanimously approved a new resolution for upholding the Parliament’s supremacy. The resolution said the House will not allow the supremacy of the Constitution, the sovereignty of the Parliament or the Islamic identity of the country to be harmed.
The resolution which was moved by the JUI-F chief said it is compulsory for all political parties to respect the stature of the House.
‘JUI-F IS HAPPY WHEN ALL ARE’:
Addressing on the occasion, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said, “The majority never deprives the minority from its right of difference of opinion. When I reached home, I was informed that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari wanted to talk to me. I contacted him and apprised him of the details. He told me he was happy with the positive decision taken by our party.”
“Similarly Rashid Godil of the MQM contacted me and said MQM chief Altaf Hussain wanted to talk to me. When I did manage to speak to Altaf Hussain, he reacted similar to how all of you have just reacted here in the House,” he said, referring of the House’s positive reaction to the news.
The JUI-F chief had earlier said his party had decided to withdraw the motion at the request of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, he had added that a new motion would be moved in the assembly soon.
Without divulging the text of the new motion, the JUI-F chief had said he would ask the speaker to call a meeting of leaders of all parliamentary parties for a consensus on his proposed new motion. “If all the parties agree, we will accept the prime minister’s request and withdraw our earlier motion,” he had said.
‘MQM WITHDREW MOTION TO STABILIZE DEMOCRACY’:
Moreover, senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar told the House, “Altaf Hussain has said he has no animosity with the armed forces or Rangers. Hussain added that the Rangers are his brothers. The decision to withdraw the de-seating motion was made to stabilise democracy.
“Our intention was not to de-seat a party which came in the House via popular mandate. We accepted the prime minister’s appeal to uphold supremacy of the parliament,” he said, adding, “The MQM has taken back its de-seating motion unconditionally.”
The MQM and the government-allied JUI-F sought to declare the 28 NA seats occupied by the PTI vacant because their occupants remained absent from the House without leave when their party boycotted it after resigning.
NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had intially refused to entertain the resignations by 29 of the 34 PTI party members of the house unless each of them individually met him to confirm they had resigned out of their own free will.
Thursday’s development and the NA’s subsequent motion to uphold the supremacy of Parliament put an end to the bitter rivalry between the PTI and angry MQM and JUI-F on this issue.
