Lawmakers demand action against those using abusive language against Parliament
ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT ONLINE):The lawmakers in the National Assembly on Thursday demanded that Opposition
leaders who had openly cursed the parliament at a rally in Lahore should be
summoned to appear before the National Assembly to explain their remarks.
It is to mention that Sheikh Rashid repeatedly cursed the parliament
during the rally in Lahore a day before and announced his resignation from his
National Assembly seat, prompting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran
Khan to consider quitting the assemblies on the grounds that parliament had
lost its utility in protecting people’s rights. Khan, voicing his support for
Rashid, had also “cursed” the parliament.
PPPP lawmaker Aijaz Hussain Jhakrani started the debate on
the issue and said that political leader of a party at a gathering in Lahore abused
Parliament. His wordings have no significance but it is really sad that those
having more than 30 members endorsed his point of view and abused Parliament,
he maintained.
He said it is the right of the party having the majority in
the Parliament to make legislation or pass the bill. It is right in democracy to
oppose legislation but no one has right to abuse Parliament , he said adding
that such leaders weaken the Parliament.
Mr. Jhakrani said that PPPP always supported democracy and Parliament
and it is the only party having major sacrifices for supremacy of Parliament.
He said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto used to say that democracy is the best
revenge and those abusing Parliament should face privilege motion and to be
made answerable.
In 2014, they attacked Parliament and PTV but PPPP stood
with democracy. “ Imran Khan has habit of taking U-turns and our leaders including
Bilawal Bhutto and Opposition Leader also opposed what was said against the
Parliament in political gathering at Lahore by Imran Khan and others,” he added
Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Asif said that it is the right of Opposition
to criticize the government but no one has right to abuse Parliament.
“ It is our right to protect the sanctity of Parliament and
politicians have no existence without institutions. PPPP and PML-N rendered
great sacrifices for democracy and our leadership (PML-N) is even facing the court,”
he said while speaking here in National Assembly.
The minister said that decisions are not made in political gatherings
but in Parliament and it is our right to protect it. He said those who resigned
from the Parliament in past requested not to further proceed on their
resignations and all PTI MNAs returned to the House and took all salaries,
T.A/D.As as well as allowances.
MQM lawmaker Sheikh Salahuddin said that dignity of
Parliament was exploited by Sheikh Rasheed and Imran Khan yesterday. PTI, the
third largest party in this House, has insulted the mandate of 200 million
people.
He said those abusing Parliament are also elected members of
the Parliament and those using such wordings against the Parliament should face
privilege motion. “ Those wanting to resign from the parliament should come
here like Javed Hashmi and to tender his resignation in a democratic way,” he
added.
ANP legislator Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that Parliament is
being abused as it is considered as weak institution. He said it is very sad
that political leader of a party having representation in this House abused Parliament.
PML-N MNA Javed Latif said that abusing parliament means abusing state and
such acts are condemnable.
PML-Z lawmaker Ejaz ul Haq said that Parliament is mother of
all institutions and every one should endeavor to increase its respect rather than abusing it.
Minority lawmaker Khalid George said that legislation should be made against those who use
abusive or language against Parliament.
MNAs Syed Essa Nori, Shahida Akhter Ali also condemned such remarks and demanded to
ensure the respect of Parliament.