Jirga urges Speaker not to accept PTI MNAs' resignations

The Opposition Jirga, while urging the Speaker of National Assembly not to accept resignations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Members of National Assembly (MNAs), has warned the government it will pave the way for mid-term elections and could further intensify the political imbroglio.
Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Senator Rehman Malik said that accepting of PTI's resignations would not result in the end of the current political stalemate and will, in fact, defer the matter further.
Sirajul Haq said that with the acceptance of PTI MNAs resignations, the government will create an atmosphere for mid-term elections and this time, most of the responsibility will lie on the government. He said that negotiations should be held between the government and the PTI as dialogue was the only option to resolve the prevailing crisis.
The JI chief was also against the creation of several provinces, as proposed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and said that the decision would be unwise.
Meanwhile, Rehman Malik advised the government to resume talks with the PTI and if it refuses to, it provides a reason as to why. Malik said he envisioned bloodshed in the country in the coming few days during the month of Muharram and appealed to the government and intelligence agencies to move forward and enhance their role. Haq has urged all political forces to shun their differences and work for the progress of the people and the country, saying that all the political forces need to work for improving the election process through electoral reforms.
He said that the government and the PTI should hold dialogue for the resolution of political issues. He said he would request PTI chief Imran Khan to reconsider his decision of going ahead with the option of resignations. The JI chief said the leadership of the protesting parties had adopted the course of public rallies, calling it a welcome development. Sirajul Haq, however, demanded of all political parties to respect the democratic process.