QUETTA: The Balochis­tan Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution rejecting the demands of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) for the resignation of prime minister and dissolution of national and provincial assemblies.

The resolution tabled by Senior Minister and provincial president of PML-N Nawab Sanaullah Zehri on behalf of treasury and opposition members was adopted during a session of the assembly presided over by Speaker Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali.

It said members of the provincial assembly would resist any unconstitutional or undemocratic move. The Constitution allowed protests and sit-ins but within the parameters of law. Protests should not be aimed to put the entire political system at stake, it added.

Speaking on the floor of the house, about a dozen of lawmakers criticised the PTI and PAT for launching anti-government protests. They termed the demands of the two parties unconstitutional and illegal and said that the attempts to topple an elected government through agitation would be resisted.

Members say they will resist any unconstitutional and undemocratic move

The members termed the sit-ins being staged in Islamabad a conspiracy against the Constitution. They said in a democratic society issues were resolved on the negotiating table and not through street agitations. Democracy was restored in the country after a long struggle of political parties against military dictatorships, they said, adding that they would not allow undemocratic elements to create chaos in the country.

They said the unanimously adopted resolution by this august house had proved that the people of Balochistan were against any unconstitutional and undemocratic move in the country.

The members criticised PTI chairman Imran Khan for giving a call for civil disobedience.

The session was adjourned for Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2014