‘No objection over presence of PTI MNAs in Parliament’

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that he has no objection over the presence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in the National Assembly against whom MQM and JUI-F tabled a resolution for their de-seating yesterday.

The PM made these remarks during a meeting of the parliamentary party leaders he chaired in Islamabad this morning.

“I have no objection over their presence in parliament but they must accept the system. There shouldn’t be road shows on streets... everyone should accept and realize importance of this house and that the country can’t afford any political confrontation,” a source quoted the PM as saying in the meeting.

The meeting discussed the resolutions submitted by MQM and JUI-F in the National Assembly regarding the issue of de-seating PTI MNAs who remained absent from the house over 40 days.

According to Assembly rules, a member who does not attend Assembly session continuously for 40 days stands disqualified as member of the House.

According to Samaa correspondent, the participants of the meeting also discussed the report of judicial commission on alleged rigging in 2013 general elections.

Syed Khursheed Shah, Maulana Fazalur Rehman, Rasheed Gudial, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Ijaz ul Haq, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Mushahid Hussain Syed and other attended the meeting.

Speaking to media persons following the meeting, Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said MQM and JUI-F had assured the government to withdraw their resolutions after consultation with party leadership.

“The PM has asked both the parties to decide in this regard and we have been directed to keep in contact with them,” he said.

“They agreed to take back their resolutions and not to insist on their approval from the parliament. It will allow all political parties to freely exercise their right of representing people in the parliament.”

He said the commission’s report was accepted by all political parties present in the meeting. – Samaa