ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have decided to requisition a session of the National Assembly to demand the prime minister’s resignation.
This was stated by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi after he met Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Qureshi said that they had discussed the JIT report. “The PPP and PTI have identical views on the report. The PM has lost constitutional and moral authority to remain in power and must resign,” he said.
He said they had agreed to requisition a session of the National Assembly immediately. “For this purpose, signatures of the opposition members will be obtained. The two parties have also agreed to seek support of other parties in the parliament,” he said.
Qureshi said he had also spoken to Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan chief Dr Farooq Sattar over the telephone. “Sattar said a response will be given after consulting the party leadership. The opposition parties want to show the same unity displayed during the budget session,” he said.
To a question, the PTI vice chairman said two factions had emerged within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). “One wants to avoid confrontation, while the other wants to become political martyrs,” he said.
Khursheed Shah said that Mian Nawaz Sharif had demanded the resignation of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani after he appeared in the SC. “Nawaz Sharif had promised to resign if the report was against him. He must honour his commitment now. Only his resignation can save democracy now,” he said.
Separately, MQM Pakistan chief Dr Farooq Sattar urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down. Addressing reporters, Farooq Sattar said that his party had held a detailed meeting after the JIT report was submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan and had held consultations on what stance to take.
“This JIT was formed and constituted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The contents of the JIT report, most of it, have also been made public,” he said.
Pak Sarzameen Party chief Mustafa Kamal also demanded resignation of the PM. “Any delay will damage the system and the country,” he said. He said that the PM and his party had the right to defend themselves, but after tendering the resignation.
Dr Babar Awan, who recently joined the PTI, said there was no reason left behind for PM Nawaz Sharif to hold his office. “Finance Minister Ishaq Dar should be arrested,” he said. PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haque said that Nawaz Sharif was an obstacle in country’s progress.
Lawyers’ organisations also demanded the resignation of Nawaz Sharif, and gave him one week to step down. In a press conference, the Lahore High Court Bar secretary and other members said that Nawaz Sharif had lost all authority to remain the PM of the country. They announced to stage nationwide protests if the PM did not resign in seven days. The lawyers also decided to take out a rally against Nawaz Sharif on The Mall on Thursday.
Published in Daily Times, July 12th , 2017.
