Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Khwaja Saad Rafiq has denied the allegation levelled by the government regarding attack on National Assembly Speaker by opposition members on Friday, the day of voting for no-trust move, and termed it as "propaganda of treasury benches".
"Neither we attacked the Speaker, nor tore the ballot papers, as the government has alleged. However, we laid siege of the Speaker, which was our democratic right," he said at a news conference at Lahore Press Club on Sunday, along with MNA Pervez Malik, Kh Ahmed Hassan, Zaeem Qadri, PML-N city president Mohammad Hanif and other party men.
He said the government has charged the opposition with violating the constitutional norms and, according to reports, is now planning to register a case against it on the complaint of the Speaker. "We are not afraid of cases but question as to why the government kept silence when the Speaker refused to issue production order of jailed Javed Hashmi. We will not sit as silent spectators in the House, and whenever we are barred from performing our constitutional duties, we will protest."
He said the Speaker has become partisan, and is obeying his military rulers. He alleged that by acting against the constitution, he had violated his oath and has committed 'high treason'.
About failure of no-trust move against the Speaker, Saad said that he survived on the back of agencies who abstained treasury benches from taking part in the voting.
Pervez Malik deplored the attitude of Deputy Speaker and said that there were 107 movers of the motion against the Speaker, but the chair did not allow them to speak on the floor, which was unconstitutional. According to rules and regulations, all movers irrespective of their number could speak on the floor. He urged the international community to take notice of such unconstitutional and undemocratic deeds of the government.
Meanwhile, Saad announced to hold protest demonstrations from Oct 29 onward for 10 days to express solidarity with jailed PML-N MNA Javed Hashmi. He said that seminars will be arranged at division level across the country, where speakers will highlight the services of Javed for the cause of democracy.
Saad said that the process of ARD-MMA negotiations was continuing for formation of a combined opposition to oust President Musharraf from power. "It is our advice to Musharraf to quit the office on his own, else masses will throw him out with the force."
The PML-N leaders also condemned the government for its failure to maintain stability in prices of essentials during the Ramazan and continuing military operation in Wana ignoring the sanctity of the holy month.
While expressing solidarity with the people of Charar village where around a dozen villagers were reportedly injured in clash with Defence Housing Authority's security personnel recently, the PML-N leaders announced to form a legal aid committee under Naseer Bhutta, advocate, to provide legal assistance to the victims.