ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a condemnation resolution against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed for using inappropriate words against the Parliament.
The resolution was submitted by the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman.
On Wednesday while addressing the gathering at Mall Road in Lahore wherein the Joint Opposition held a protest against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, Imran Khan cursed upon the Parliament which, according to him, paved the way for a disqualified person to head a party by amending the Constitution.
In his statement in the House, Baligh-ur-Rehman condemned Imran Khan’s remarks, and said that it was attempted to lessen the sanctity of Parliament as both Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed are also members of it. He said that Parliament has representation of 200 million people and they have been humiliated through such remarks by these leaders.
The minister said that it is strong belief of members of this House that stability and development of the Country is affiliated with democracy which is as per vision of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said this Parliament represents people and there is no room for any other system in the Country.
Meanwhile while speaking in National Assembly on Thursday, the Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that it is the right of the Opposition to criticize the government but no one has right to abuse the Parliament.
“It is our right to protect the sanctity of the Parliament and politicians have no existence without institutions. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and PML-N rendered great sacrifices for democracy and our leadership is even facing the court,” he said.
The minister said that decisions are not made in political gatherings but in the Parliament and it is our right to protect it. He said those who resigned from the Parliament in the past requested not to further proceed on their resignations and all PTI MNAs returned to the House and took all salaries, TA/DAs as well as allowances.
“Attack on the Parliament was made in 2014 and one of the leader of a political party has wish to become Leader of the House. He is abusing the Parliament as it is way towards failure not success,” he maintained.
“One cannot get power in such a manner”, the minister said adding that political scoring is being made on some incidents and those Canadian nationals gathering the politicians on a stage are using religion for their personal gains.
Khawaja Asif said that all limits were crossed yesterday and this House should move a joint privilege motion against those abusing the Parliament.
“The Parliamentary Body should summon them and the head of the Committee should use power to make them answerable on such words,” he added.
The foreign minister said that election is about to come and political forces have right to motivate their voters but no one has right to abuse the Parliament. He said that MNAs of this party has come into Parliament today whose leader abused the Parliament yesterday.
The minister said that respect of politicians is due to the Parliament and those using abusive language against it should feel ashamed on such acts.
“If we would protect the sanctity of the Parliament, other institutions would give respect to it,” he maintained.
Khawaja Asif said that persons, whether from any party, abusing this Parliament are reflecting their inferior thoughts and legal proceedings should be initiated against such a person.
The minister said that they went beyond limits to remain in power but there are some PTI members who disagreed with their leadership expressed their non-confidence on it.
