Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday told the parliamentarians that he would not make any compromise on the oath that he had taken for the supremacy of Constitution and rule of law. In his much-awaited speech in the National Assembly, Nawaz Sharif also assured the supportive political parties: "I was elected by the Parliament and I promise you that I would not hurt your feelings and disappoint you".
The resolution adopted by the House for protection of democracy, Parliament and Constitution reflects the voice of 200 million people, he said and added that this display of unity for democracy and parliament would always be remembered. He said all political parties in the parliament except one have supported the rule of law and democracy as well as supremacy of Parliament. He added that such example of unanimity for democracy was not available in the democratic history of the country.
The Prime Minister said that journey for supremacy of Constitution and rule of law would continue and there would be no interruption in the process. "We are heading in the right direction that will put the country on the path to economic development and mega development projects initiated by the present government would continue. Nawaz Sharif also thanked other segments of society, including intellectuals, lawyers, traders and minorities, for supporting this cause.
He said the government was moving towards economic improvement but everything could not be changed overnight. The Prime Minister further stated that the government was giving top priority to electricity generation and Dasu, Diamer Bhasha hydel projects and coal-based projects at Gadani and Port Qasim were in the pipeline. Nawaz said that Rs 55 billion had been released for the purchase of land for Lahore-Karachi Motorway project and there was a plan to develop Gwadar port and Balochistan province. The Prime Minister said his party was a victim of rigging in 2008 elections, as Shahbaz Sharif's and his nomination papers were rejected. "My party accepted the results of elections and did not make a hue and cry over an injustice," the Prime Minister said and added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief had assured him that his party would support government's positive initiatives.
He said the entire house wanted election reforms and a 33-member electoral reforms committee had already been constituted in this regard. He said the reforms agenda must be brought to the committee and all the political parties should give their proposals in this regard.
The Prime Minister stated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) agitation and protests had shaken the confidence of investors and the country had suffered a loss of Rs 100 billion while exchange rate was under tremendous pressure. The Prime Minister said it was utmost desire of the government to provide all basic amenities of life to people and alleviate unemployment and poverty.
The prime Minister said that at some appropriate time this House must hold a discussion with a view to investigating to how and why the PAT-PTI agitation started. Later, Federal Minister for Railway Khawaja Saad Rafique said that violence was no solution to any problem while dialogue was the only way to overcome the current political crisis. While briefing the Lower House of the Parliament, he said that both leader Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadir should give direct access to government team for negotiations. He said the government had accepted almost all PTI demands. He said the government also expressed readiness before Qadre that it was willing to resolve the issue of registering an FIR of Model Town tragedy according to law of land or principles of Sharia.
The Minister said that they had also requested PAT chief Tahirul Qadri to give his reforms package to the government, so that it could present it before the parliament for legislation as all political parties wanted welfare and wellbeing of people and the country. He also urged both the leaders to withdraw their deadlines and let the dialogue process move forward for an amicable resolution of all issues. He said if the proposed Judicial Commission came across any organised rigging in election 2013 the government, including the Prime Minister, would have no moral justification to stay in office.