The National Assembly Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to express its resolve that it will continue to play its role towards strengthening of democratic institutions and vowed to protect and preserve the supremacy of Constitution and the Parliament of Pakistan. The resolution was moved by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal in the House. The House unanimously adopted the resolution.
The resolution says, "We believe in the survival of Pakistan and its development and stability are only linked with democracy. Pakistan is first Islamic country which was established according to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in a democratic way through vote."
The resolution further says, "the elected Parliament with the vote of the people is working for the supremacy of the Constitution, democracy and law and it would continue to do so in future. We vow that we will play our due role for the supremacy of democratic institutions and the Constitution of Pakistan. This House congratulates the nation on the 68th Independence Day of Pakistan." Earlier, allowing Chief of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai's request through which he had sought to discuss the current political situation in light of scheduled August 14 protests of PTI and PAT, the Speaker National Assembly set aside the House Business and opened the floor for a debate on the issue. Initiating the debate, Achakzai cautioned all the parliamentary parties about a plan to derail democratic system by undemocratic forces, urging them to show unity and defeat those forces. He declared an open war against those who, according to him, are trying to harm the Parliament, Constitution and democracy.
Achakzai said his party will fight off those who try to subvert the constitution. He said Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri should not set a precedence to harm the democratic system through protest and rallies. He suggested that all parliamentary parties, including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam - Fazal-ur-Rehman (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami, to hold a demonstration on Independence Day in favour of supremacy of constitution, Parliament and the democracy.
Achakzai said, "I will strongly resist a person or a religious/political group or an institution who challenges the supremacy of the constitution and wants to subvert the constitution." Taking part in the debate, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad said his party will not allow anybody to derail democracy. He urged the PTI Chairman to use the forum of Parliament to resolve the issue.
He said the Prime Minister has also offered Imran to resolve issues through talks. He said the government believes in peace and does not want to use force against protesters. He urged the supporters of Tahirul Qadri not to put the lives of their children in danger for 'an adventurer'. The Minister alleged the PTI is not supporting the operation Zarb-e-Azb in a true sense. He said they are staging a 'long-march' at a critical time to divert attention of the people from the military operation in North Waziristan. He said Imran's foundation has done nothing for the IDPs.
The government has launched many development projects and urged the PTI and PAT not to create hindrance in the development process, he added. Abdul Sattar Bachani of PPP seconded Mehmood Khan Achakzai, saying that the federal/provincial governments should complete their terms. He added that people who want to disrupt democracy should be booked. The PPP made a lot of sacrifices for democracy and the party would not allow any move which leads to anarchy. He said that parliament is the right forum to resolve issues and the mandate of every party should be accepted. Aasiya Nasir of JUI-F condemned the PTI's 'Azadi March' and PAT's 'Inqlab March', saying that the JUI-F would not allow any undemocratic force to cause any harm to democracy. She accused PTI of stealing JUI-F's mandate in the KPK during general elections 2013, saying that a vote recount should be started from NA-1 Peshawar.
She said that PEMRA should keep a check on the broadcast of provocative speeches of Tahirul Qadri. Abdul Rashid Godil of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said the role of Parliament and democratic institutions should not be disrupted. He alleged that the government is not paying attention to solve the problems of people. He said local bodies elections should be held for solving the problems of people at their doorsteps.
Shahbzada Tariqullah of JI said that both the parties (PML-N and PTI) should avoid confrontation and that they should not give chance to any third force. "The issue of rigging election should be resolved through a legal frame-work. There should be ban on any procession or public meeting in Islamabad and a specific place should be fixed for this purpose." He said that protest is right of every party but they will not be allowed to damage democracy. He said that the government should complete its term.
Murad Saeed Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that problems of the people can only be solved in real democracy. He said that it is necessary to end the "rule of kings" for real democracy. He said there is a provision in the Constitution for mid-term elections in the country. He said constitution gives people the right of protest. He said there is a need to introduce electoral reforms to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country. He alleged that the PML-N government is using unconstitutional means by blocking the roads with containers to forestall "Azadi March" of PTI.
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch claimed that Tahirul Qadir is using his employees and students of his institutions for a political purpose. He said the reality about the Model Town incident will come out in report of a Judicial Commission.
The Minister said the government believes in peace and does not want to use force or fire arms against protesters. He said the executive has no power to take action on complaints of Imran regarding verification of votes in four constituencies. He said PTI should have brought a bill in the House to give such powers to the executive. Dr Nafisa Shah, Omar Ayub Khan and Shahabuddin Khan also spoke on the resolution. The House adopted an amendment in the rules passed by the National Assembly on 19th of June regarding the "Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms". The amendment was moved by Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid. According to the amendment, the rules of joint sitting of the Parliament will apply on the committee.