'Assemblies may not complete tenure': opposition members seek explanation from NA Speaker

Opposition members in National Assembly on Thursday sought explanation from Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq over his views expressed in a private television channel that assemblies may not complete their term. Speaking on the floor of the Lower House, Leader of Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah warned that the government should tread carefully and take the Parliament seriously.
"We should move forward with our eyes open," he said, adding that the speaker seems to be privy of some important information that he should share with the House too. "The situation is suspicious because there is a party which is applying pressure for elections to be held immediately. This party believes if elections are not held, there will be a civil war," he said.
Shah said that pressure on the government could be seen as to how the roads are being blocked and protests being held in different parts of the country. "Everyone understands the danger that the Pakistan is going through," he said. He, however, said that it is his personal opinion that elections be held on time and assemblies should complete their tenure.
Speaking on the same issue, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan member Kishwer Zahra said the speaker should explain his position in the House about his views expressed in the television. She said that it is right of the parliamentarians to know the real situation as they have to answer questions asked by their voters and general public.
Criticizing the speaker's views, independent member Malik Amir Dogar said that the speaker said that the situation is worse today as compared to the General Musharraf's (retd) tenure. He accused the government of being responsible for the situation that the Parliament is in nowadays and urged the speaker to explain his position in the House.
Responding to these points, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab said that the members who have expressed their concern over the speaker's statement may be reflective of other members sitting in the House too. He, however, said that it is the speaker who can explain his position on the issue and said the members could ask him for the same when he comes to chair proceedings of the House on Friday.
Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also sided with Shaikh Aftab, saying that the speaker may explain his position on the issue. Meanwhile, talking to the media persons after attending an inaugural ceremony of a store of a German company, Sadiq said that he is feeling relaxed after giving statement about his fear regarding possibility that the assembly will not complete its due term.
He hoped that the government will complete its term while fearing that the political situation of the country for the past three months has been showing the opposite. "I can foresee a greater plan. Maybe some people prefer to resign as they do not want Senate elections to be held in March. This is a depressing situation. I was not this much upset in 2002 during Musharraf's tenure as I am now," he said.
"Besides one party, the entire opposition wishes and is trying that the government completes its five-year term. But my sixth sense is differing on the matter. Martial law is an exemption and no one will accept it," he said.