A joint sitting of Parliament on Friday condemned the on-going sit-ins of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) through a unanimous resolution, emphatically reiterating its resolve to uphold the supremacy of Parliament, Constitution, democratic system, rule of law and State institutions. The resolution was moved by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
According to the resolution, "This Joint Sitting of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) emphatically reiterates its unequivocal, unwavering and unqualified resolve to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the democratic system, sanctity of state institutions and the rule of law and the sovereignty of Parliament which embodies the will and the mandate of the people of Pakistan.
"Parliament condemns the dharnas (sit-ins) in the Red Zone of Islamabad and their unconstitutional demands, made under threat of forcible occupation of Parliament House, Prime Minister's House and other State buildings. "The Parliament also strongly condemns the forcible entry into, and occupation of, the front compound of Parliament House by PT1, PAT and other allied parties' workers, the assault on the Prime Minister's House and Pakistan Secretariat and the forcible occupation of PTV.
"Parliament notes with great concern the incalculable damage caused by the current situation to the nation's economy and to its international image, reflected inter alia in the cancellation/postponement of visits of important foreign dignitaries including the President of China during whose visit MoUs for US $34 billion were to be signed.
"Parliament regrets that the protests have diverted attention from the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the on-going military operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan, and from thousands of persons affected by the recent floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Sindh. "Parliament notes the government's restraint inter alia on the advice of Parliamentary Political Parties in the face of provocation and its efforts to achieve a negotiated, amicable settlement with the two parties.
"In conclusion, this Joint Sitting of Parliament places on record its sense of satisfaction that at this important juncture, all democratic forces in Parliament have displayed extraordinary unity and resolve to stand together to defeat the direct challenge to the supremacy of the Constitution and the sovereignty of Parliament. "This Joint Sitting of Parliament also appreciates and acknowledges with gratitude, the tremendous support for the democratic system expressed by all sections of civil society, including the legal fraternity, the business community, technical and academic professionals and indeed, citizens across the length and breadth of Pakistan."
While debating on prevailing political situation, Sher Akbar of Jammat-e-Islami (JI) said that a complete ban should be imposed on any public meeting, sit-ins in Islamabad, particularly in its Red Zone. He said the sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) have caused irreparable loss to the national economy.
He also requested the PTI and PAT to end sit-ins in national interest. He said electoral reforms should be introduced so that nobody in future could raise finger on the election results. Senator Shahi Syed said the joint-sitting of the parliament should discuss the problems of 18 million people.
"We do not want to protect Nawaz Sharif but the democratic system. Nawaz Sharif is prime minister of 18 million people. Those staging sit-ins on the Constitution Avenue are committing mutiny against the state. Weakening the democratic institutions tantamount to weaken the country," he said. Mohsin Leghari said local bodies' elections should be held to devolve political and administrative powers to the people at the grassroot level. He said that local bodies system would strengthen the democratic system in true spirit.
Gulzar Khan of PTI said political parties should continue to demonstrate unity in their ranks so that anti-democratic forces do not succeed in their designs. He said our effort should be to make them irrelevant and isolated. He said his former leader Imran Khan is making a hue and cry over rigging in 2013 elections but he never took any notice of the rigging that took place in his intra-party polls in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.