The National Assembly on Monday rejected the opposition-proposed amendments to the pro-government resolution for implementation of superior judiciary's decision amid the apex court's contempt notice to the prime minister.
The house, which passed the resolution from the House with majority vote, rejected the two amendments moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which state "and in this regard, (the House) calls upon the government to immediately implement, in letter and spirit, all previous resolutions of parliament and all decisions of the superior judiciary and to ensure that all administrative actions are strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law, for smooth functioning of all state institutions."
The move came at a time when Supreme Court had already issued contempt of court notice to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for non-implementation of apex court's verdict on National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case. The apex court has also asked the Prime Minister to appear in person on January 19.
The House also rejected the PML-N amendment proposed to be substituted in Para-5 of the resolution, which says, "Finally this House emphasises that the best guarantee for the strengthening of democracy is the successful resolution of the problems of the people of Pakistan by democratic institutions through dedicated, selfless and corruption-free services for the welfare of the common man and in this regard calls upon the Government to discharge its constitutional obligations and provide relief to the suffering masses by devoting all energies and efforts to improve governance, eliminate gas and electricity load-shedding, control inflation, create employment opportunities and put the country back on the path of self-reliant economic growth." The opposition parties including PML-N, PPP-Sherpao and PML-Q (like-minded), which staged walk out from the House, stated that the resolution should not be used as a 'shield' by the government.
Later, talking to reporters outside parliament House, Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that democracy could not be saved or strengthened through passing resolutions. But, he said, democracy could be strengthened through resolving problems of masses and abiding by the law and constitution. He said that PML-N made it clear in the House that there was no threat to democracy but added that the only threat to democratic system was from the government's corruption and the misdeeds of the rulers.
Nisar warned the government against confrontation with the state institutions and asked the rulers to abide by the constitution and avoid the politics of confrontation. Referring to Prime Minister's statement against Army Chief and DG ISI, he said that the prime minister does not have the right to publicly accuse heads of the state institutions. "The prime minister does not have the right to conduct public trial of heads of the state institutions," he said, adding that proper channel should have been used to convey if the prime minister believed that anything was done against the constitution.
To a question whether the government should go following contempt notice to Prime Minister, he said that it would be decided after January 19 when the prime minister will appear before the apex court. To another question, Nisar said that he had contacted JUI-F parliamentary leader in Senate Abdul Ghafoor Haideri regarding the proposed amendments to the resolution.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said that the PML-N would use the option of en-bloc resignation from assemblies whenever it feels resignations of their members will force the ruling PPP to leave the power corridors.
Referring to the resolution, he said that the resolution does not support democracy but the government has made an effort to cover up its corruption. "We feel that the government is using the resolution as shield to protect its corruption," he added.