ISLAMABAD: The disgruntled lawmakers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who earlier announced their departure from the party, have yet to submit their resignations to the National Assembly (NA).
Sources in the NA Secretariat said on Saturday that almost all the lawmakers who have quit PML-N were still handling official matters in different capacities and were also receiving salaries along with other incentives. The sources said that some deserting lawmakers had participated in the recent NA session just to get an extra allowance. The sources also said that none of the lawmakers from southern Punjab submitted their resignations, despite making announcements of leaving the party.
Former PML-N lawmakers Nisar Jatt and Raza Hayat, who had joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were regularly receiving their salaries and other incentives from the National Assembly. Both the lawmakers were still members of NA standing committees as well. The sources added that the names of both the lawmakers were also included in the list of PML-N lawmakers in the assembly.
Similarly, a former PML-N lawmaker from southern Punjab, namely Khusro Bakhtiar, had yet to submit his resignation and continued receiving salary and other incentives in the name of the ruling party. Bakhtiar is also handling affairs of the NA standing committee as chairman foreign affairs. He was also availing all government provided facilities, including official vehicles and staff.
Another deserter Rana Qasim Noon was carrying out his official duties under the banner of PML-N. He also did not submit a formal resignation in the NA.
Similarly, two other former PML-N members Tahir Iqbal and Tahir Bashir Cheema have yet to submit their resignations after announcing to leave the party. Basit Bukhari was also availing all perks and privileges as a PML-N lawmaker despite leaving the party.
When the NA spokesperson was contacted for comment in this connection, not even a single lawmaker who quit PML-N had yet submitted a resignation in the National Assembly.
He said that after these lawmakers submit their formal resignations, an investigation would be conducted to reconfirm their resignations. After that, the NA would decide whether to accept their resignation or reject it, while adding that the decision would be made after receiving reconfirmation from the lawmakers concerned.
The spokesperson further said that the lawmakers would be asked whether their resignations were their own choice or someone else made the announcement on their behalf. He added that the resignations would only be accepted after reconfirmation.
