Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is a democratic party and it will never let the system derail. He expressed these views while talking to parliamentary reporters here at his chamber on Monday. He said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari have always vowed not to let the system get derailed.
He said that following Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan's statements denouncing the Parliament, the resignations of his party's lawmakers should have been presented forthwith. He maintained that after the announcement, the PTI leaders should not have waited or held consultations. He said that the PTI leaders are talking about the resignation only to disrupt the democratic system, adding that the PTI has adopted double standard about the resignations.
While slamming the PTI leaders regarding using derogatory remarks against the Parliament, he said the law should be the same for everyone. Shah claimed that the PTI lawmakers have got salaries more than Rs 110 million from the Parliament apart from other facilities. He said that Khan should pay back from Rs 7 million to Rs 8 million which he got in the terms of salaries and other perks and privileges.
While referring to ongoing issue of suspended SSP Malir Rao Anwar, who is facing an investigation in relation to extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud, the opposition leader dismissed reports about supporting the controversial cop. He said that Zardari is not backing the police officer. "If Rao Anwar fails to present himself before the court, he will face a judicial inquiry," Shah pointed out.
About the courts, he said the courts are for provision of justice and not for ruling. He also gave proposals to increase the strength of judges in the Supreme Court and the high courts. He added that total strength of judges in the Supreme Court should be made 35, while there should be 60 to 80 judges in Lahore High Court and 45 in Sindh High Court.
Replying to a question, Shah said, "We would see the reaction of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the absence of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif during the hearing of the case. The institutions are being discarded due to such attitude of the rulers."
It merits mentioning here the PTI chairman disclosed the option of tendering resignations from the Parliament when he addressed a public gathering held by the joint opposition at Mall Road, Lahore, on January 17 to register its protest against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led Punjab government.
Khan in his address cursed the current Parliament, prompting a countrywide criticism. The National Assembly later passed a unanimous resolution condemning remarks of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and President Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid against the Parliament.