As the political crisis prevailing in the country continues unabated, the government and opposition parties in the Assembly are making frantic efforts to negotiate with the protesting PTI and PAT.
The previous day saw fiery speeches from Raza Rabbani who made a stirring call to democratic forces to unite in what he saw as a long battle for the supremacy of Parliament and Ahsan Iqbal who came out with a strong denunciation of PTI and PAT.
And while progress appeared on the talks’ front as the government and PTI traded proposals for electoral reforms, impressions of a deal to end the stalemate were dispelled by party lawmaker Arif Alvi.
Confusion also reigned in the capital after Ahsan Iqbal announced that Chinese president Xi Jinping had ‘cancelled’ his upcoming visit to Pakistan, even before Beijing had made its plans regarding the visit public.
In his latest harangue, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri also lashed out at Parliamentarians saying lawmakers were labeling his “peaceful daughters, sisters and sons” as terrorists.
With the numbers at the Constitution Avenue parade continuing the ebb and flow pattern of the past weeks, a dramatic ruling from the Supreme Court or flexibility from the defiant government and stubborn protesting parties are the only likely options to end the deadlock.
Will PTI and government agree on certain concessions? Will better sense prevail for Dr Qadri, who is calling for an overthrow of the system? What success will the jirga achieve?
Read up on Saturday and Sunday’s violent clashes | Read what took place on Monday | Read what took place on Tuesday | Read up on events from Wednesday | Read up on what happened on Thursday
PTI sit-in: Imran announces return to D-Chowk
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has announced that his ongoing protest sit-in will be staged at D-Chowk, a roundabout just outside Islamabad’s Red Zone where both the protesting parties originally staged their sit-ins.
“Due to lack of space, we will move back to D-Chowk tomorrow,” he told his supporters.
Khan vowed to remain persistent with his anti-government protest, saying “three pharaohs Nawaz Sahrif, Mir Shakilur Rehman and Iftikhar Chaudhry will fall soon.”
Govt sought $45bn loan not investment from China: Imran
Rejecting the government’s claim of an expected investment from China, PTI Chairman Imran Khan alleged that the government of PM Sharif was instead to seek a loan of $45 billion during Chinese president’s now canceled trip to Pakistan.
Imran pays homage to passion of marchers in rain
Imran Khan paid homage to passion of the protesters for keep standing even in heavy rains in Islamabad. He lashed out at parliamentarians specifically Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mehmood Khan Achakzai who he claimed have been ‘posing’ as democrats in the National Assembly.
The PTI chairman reiterates his stance of staying at the sit-in till Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns.
Talks have resumed through jirga: Rehman Malik
Former interior minister Rehman Malik said it was regretful that Chinese President Xi Jinping had cancelled his trip to Pakistan, DawnNews reported.
He said talks had resumed between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf through a jirga.
PTI, jirga meeting begins
PTI delegates and the opposition jirga has begun their meeting at the residence of PPP leader Rehman Malik in Islamabad.
PTI, opposition jirga to meet
PTI leaders will be meeting with the opposition jirga at the residence of Pakistan Peoples Party leader Rehman Malik on Friday evening.
PTI team includes Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Arif Alvi, Jahangir Tareen, Asad Umar, Shafqat Mehmood, Pervaiz Khattak. Delegates will be led by Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
The opposition jirga is being led by JI Emir Sirajul Haq.
Nisar should apologise to Aitzaz Ahsan: Zardari
Former president Asif Ali Zardari said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan should apologise to Aitzaz Ahsan for accusing him of using the name of the late Benazir Bhutto for business interests and personal gains and being a facilitator of the biggest land mafia in the country, DawnNews reported.
Zardari also affirmed support for democracy in the country.
Pained to see people suffering, says Qadri
Qadri said there was no need for him to protest, adding that he was leading a relatively happy and comfortable life in modest surroundings but was pained to see the suffering of the poor, womenfolk and children of the country.
“I have raised my voice for the impoverished people in the country,” the firebrand cleric told protesters amidst resounding applause.
“I fear for our future generations,” he said in a quivering voice.
Will address press conference soon: Chaudhry Nisar
Chaudhry Nisar says due to the political pressure on the premier and the federal ministers he did not deem it suitable to give a befitting reply to Aitzaz Ahsan during the joint session.
The interior minister adds he would soon address a press conference for setting the record straight.
Don’t lose patience, Qadri tells protesters
Addressing supporters in Islamabad, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said difficult situations required people to remain patient, DawnNews reported.
Qadri said the government tried to silence the protesters by blocking access to food and water supplies in Islamabad, adding that people were exploited simply because they stood up for what is right.
He said if the Parliament comprised the right kind of people, they would listen to the demands and woes of the protesters.
“You have been protesting for 23 days in the scorching heat but none of the parliamentarians came to your aid,” Qadri said.
“They (parliamentarians) vowed to represent you when they pleaded for your votes, but they have failed to do that,” Qadri said.
He told protesters to remain steadfast in the face of adversity and not lose patience.
Protests have tainted country’s image: Saad Rafique
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said the ongoing protests in Islamabad had tainted the image of Pakistan, DawnNews reported.
He said the government had shown immense restraint otherwise it wouldn’t have taken more than 15 minutes to clear the Pakistan Secretariat.
“Government urged the path of dialogue but unfortunately it was mistaken as its weakness,” Rafique said.
He said issues such as loadshedding, terrorism and poverty would not be resolved through protests, adding that Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri had put the state into a major difficulty.
Rafique said that Qadri and Imran should stay firm on their demands but at least stop their protests which had crippled the country.
Session adjourned
The joint session of the Parliament has come to an end for today and will resume at 5 pm on Monday.
Is Nisar calling Iftikhar Chaudhry and Nawaz Sharif land mafia?
A visibly upset Aitzaz asks on the floor of the House: “Iftikhar Chaudhry and Nawaz Sharif were my clients, is Nisar calling them land mafia?”
“It is the government’s job to remain soft…did Asif Zardari have any less differences with you?…these are not debates of the student union that when Shah Mehmood Qureshi starts talking, the ministers start mumbling.”
“And I assure you that if I want I will walk out of this House my brothers will leave this House too to accompany me.”
“I was the only politician to oppose all four military dictators…my wife who does her LPG business and she pays more taxes than any of these ministers.”
Joint session called after opposition approached PM: Aitzaz
Aitzaz Ahsan says the joint session of Parliament was called after the opposition approached Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“The joint session was called only after the opposition approached the prime minister…and when the Parliament stood behind you Honourable PM, the body language of your ministers changed…the fears that I was expressing…yesterday in your presence, your interior minister addressed me in a threatening manner and said he would respond to us for our criticism in Parliament.”
“My wife does LPG business…what quote is the minister talking about?…Does he not know that in 2000, LPG was deregulated.”
Pointing to Chaudhry Nisar, Aitzaz says: “Look at him, he’s giving me eyes. He should know that the government is not doing anyone a favour by “absorbing criticism”.”
Aitzaz Ahsan responds to allegations
A stern-looking Aitzaz Ahsan addresses the prime minister and responds to the allegations levelled against him by Chaudhry Nisar.
“I refused to go before Iftikhar Chaudhry after his reinstatement…if I wanted to do business through my politics or my connections, I had many avenues to accomplish that end but I didn’t, I didn’t want to.”
“I will also reply to the allegations of land mafia…I have been urging the Honourable PM to look at the people around him.”
“Mian sahab, for how long will you apologise on behalf of those who have already abandoned you,” Ahsan asks.
Aitzaz Ahsan on the floor of the House; urges PM to reassess those around him
Addressing the House, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan says he is thankful to PM Nawaz for expressing his sympathies and apologising on behalf of his minister.
“I’m thankful to the Honourable PM that he has expressed his sympathies to me and has even apologised over the words that had been used against me by a minister of his cabinet.”
“I stand here and I have been accorded respect by the party of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.”
“The allegations levelled against me are pathetic…I had in my previous speech also urged the Honourable PM to reassess those who surround him…whether they are loyal to him.”
“I struggled for democracy through the eras of different dictators…I rejected offers of employment from the governments of dictators…I rejected these every time…I was jailed, so was my wife during the Zia era…”
“And to clarify, I didn’t call off the long march over any order from Kayani. I called it off after the prime minister reinstated the judges following which I consulted with Munir Malik and other lawyers and then called off the march.”
“Honourable speaker, the situation is such that the things that Imran Khan has been saying are striking a chord with the people…even if he goes back, he wouldn’t have lost.”
“People would still say that Imran you are brave but you are in the party that lost.”
PM tries to woo back opposition after Nisar’s comments
Addressing the House, the prime minister says last night’s event was “unfortunate” for Chaudhry Nisar’s comments in which he had criticised Aitzaz Ahsan on Thursday night.
PM Nawaz apologises to Aitzaz and says that it is important for all political parties to keep their differences aside “for the sake of democracy, Constitution and to uphold the rule of law”.
Much of Nawaz’s speech looks aimed at thanking the opposition in the National Assembly for showing support to government during the current political crisis.
“I hope the opposition will continue on its path” of supporting the government.
I do not care for power, says Nawaz
“It was the opposition which urged me not to resign…I do not care for power…being the prime minister of Pakistan, governing Pakistan is not easy.”
“And even though we are talking to the opposition, if you look at the issues of those parties (PTI, PAT), you will wonder if these are the issues of Pakistan.”
“I spoke to Khursheed Shah last night and I apologised to him, I also spoke to Aitzaz Ahsan and apologised over the things that were said.”
“And now again I offer my sincerest apologies to leader of the opposition and to Aitzaz Ahsan…Ahsan has been my friend and we were struggling together during the lawyers’ movement.”
“And I assure you that if it was the PPP’s government instead of PML-N’s and we were in the opposition, we would have stuck by the PPP.”
“Even when Tahirul Qadri came to Pakistan the last time when PPP was in power, we stood by the PPP.”
No compromise on unity, democracy, Constitution, law: PM Nawaz
“There should be no compromise over that unity…over the supremacy of Constitution, democracy and rule of law…all parties should set that example.”
“As a Pakistani, as a parliamentarian, I feel proud that the parliament has agreed to unite on this path of democracy and constitutionalism.”
PM Nawaz addresses the House
“Honourable Speaker, this is a very unfortunate incident that happened last night and when I found about it, I was very upset. Before that as well, when we were meeting with opposition parties, a small skirmish took place and some of the lawmakers tried to resolve the matter and I am thankful to them.”
“What happened last night has upset me…obviously opposition parties have complaints and air them…no matter how many complaints we have with one another, governments and oppositions, whenever a situation like this arises, we should ensure that we stick together and support one another.”
Raja Zafarul Haq on the floor of the House
Speaking to the House, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq says Khursheed Shah’s criticism is well-meaning and should be taken as such.
“The opposition leader’s criticism is well-meaning. This should be the role of the opposition which it fulfilled. Not only do we appreciate this role but will also not take to heart if they have spoken any strong words in the process.”
“Opposition has fulfilled its role which has for the first time turned this House into a strong voice.”
“All lawmakers have played a very commendable role in this crisis. Maulana Fazl not only met Mian sahab, he also met with Asif Zardari and tried to resolve the situation.”
“After all the things Shah sahab has said, we don’t need to further deliberate on what happened yesterday and move on to resolving the crisis and be united.”
PM’s weakness will be weakness of democracy, Parliament: Khursheed Shah
“That man [Nisar] has breathed life into the dying forces which were trying to oust you.”
“He must be wondering why the opposition didn’t boycott today’s session? Mian sahab you have been worried since yesterday…should we have not come and worried you further? You have a snake in your ranks Mian sahab.”
“And we vehemently condemn all the allegations levelled against our leadership.”
“Ending my speech, I’ll request leader of the House, PM, to ensure that those in his ranks respect lawmakers.”
“PM’s weakness would be the weakness of democracy and Parliament.”
One man has put Parliament in quandary: Khursheed Shah
“This is not Aitzaz’s issue…this is the issue of the opposition…everyone is upset over the tirade launched against Aitzaz.”
“One man has put this House in a quandary, why? The purpose of this joint session was to stand by the people of this country, by democracy; what are people to think now? That man has strengthened those who want to take away the right of the people from having their own government.”
“That man has breathed life into the dying forces which were trying to oust you.”
“He must be wondering why the opposition didn’t boycott today’s session? Mian sahab you have been worried since yesterday…should we have not come and worried you further? You have a snake in your ranks Mian sahab.”
“And we vehemently condemn all the allegations levelled against our leadership.”
Our willingness to stand by govt shouldn’t be viewed as weakness: Khursheed Shah
“He [Nisar] didn’t even have the decency that the opposition was sitting in the PM’s chamber with him and there too he misbehaved…but he couldn’t handle and then called 10-11 journalists and spilled poison to an unbelievable extent.”
“He is not of your party Honourable Prime Minister! He is not!…people talks of puppet masters but how to deal with those who want to conspire against the system themselves! No puppet master is needed for that.”
Without naming Nisar, Shah says the minister had made up his mind yesterday only and went and sat in a corner during Thursday’s session.
“Honourable PM, you will have to make a decision…you will have to call that minister and he needs to come to the House and apologise.”
“Our willingness to stand by the government should not be viewed as our weakness Honourable PM.”
You need to assess people in your ranks, Honourable PM: Khurshid Shah
“Nothing has been left by the latest statements against Aitzaz…for us, for the Peoples Party…we came to stand by the government and put behind the aspirations of our workers so nothing we do can lead to the downfall of democracy in the country.”
“All day we talked to our brothers in the PML-N on how to ensure the government is not ousted by undemocratic forces and out of nowhere your minister [Nisar] suddenly appears with these preposterous allegations against Aitzaz.”
“You need to assess the people in your ranks…there are those in your ranks who are not loyal to you Mian sahab.”
“That minister cannot directly attack the PM, Honourable Speaker…you are being weakened and someone is trying to cut off your limbs.”
“These statements targeting me and later Aitzaz are deliberate attempts at weakening you…to weaken democracy…to weaken the strength that this Parliament has acquired in the past few days.”
“Kings have been killed, Honourable Speaker…Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs have emerged…we all know how that works.”
Khurshid Shah on the floor of the House
“Aitzaz Ahsan has been urging the PM not to resign…the entire opposition has urged the prime minister to stay put…his resignation will be the resignation of democracy.”
“We have been standing by the government through and through so it is hard to understand why all of sudden the opposition leader was subjected to ridicule.”
“Honourable Speaker, did you hear of the statements and allegations against Aitzaz Ahsan?”
“Aitzaz stood by Nawaz Sharif in times of trouble. Whether he’s a professional or a businessman…you can tell yourself.”
“Nothing has been left by the latest statements against Aitzaz for us, for the Peoples Party…we came to stand by the government and put behind the aspirations of our workers so nothing we do can lead to the downfall of democracy in the country.”
Nawaz meets Fazl
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday met with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, DawnNews reported.
During the meeting, the two deliberated upon the political situation of the country.
Govt, PTI trade proposals for electoral reforms
The dreaded ‘D’ word was back on Thursday evening when a key member of the PTI negotiating team dispelled an impression that the party was about to seal a deal with the government and end the political stalemate.
“The two sides have only agreed broadly to our proposal of electoral reforms and establishing a judicial commission. There is no further progress on the rest of our demands,” Dr Arif Alvi told Dawn.
He made these remarks after the working paper prepared by his party had been made public.
A quick read of the eight-page working paper makes it clear that finding the much hoped middle ground will not be easy.
Any decision taken by political ‘jirga’ will be accepted: PM Nawaz
After the joint parliamentary session on Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was briefed in his chambers by the government committee.
PM Nawaz Sharif has said that any decision taken by the political ‘jirga’ will be accepted by him.
COAS meets CM Shahbaz
The Chief of Army Staff General Raheel met with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at Army House in Rawalpindi. The two discussed the political situation, with Tariq Fatemi also in attendance.
Don’t interfere in politics, PAT tells Supreme Court
The Pakistan Awami Tehreek on Thursday submitted its response in the Supreme Court and said the court should not intervene in political matters.
PAT’s counsel Advocate Ali Zafar submitted the party’s response today which stated that the court should order the government to respond to the demands of protesters and that judicial intervention in electoral matters violated the Constitution.
These groups are enemies of Pakistan: Ahsan Iqbal
“No enemy of Pakistan could have created a situation or caused so much humiliation to Pakistan internationally as these two have done,” Iqbal cries.
“People are asking internationally — how can a nuclear power allow these people to come and take over the capital and government offices? How will you fare if terrorists want you to surrender?”
This is a war for power: Raza Rabbani
The legislator moves to the current political crisis. “Honourable speaker, I cannot completely agree that with what people here said yesterday that the Parliament was victorious.”
“We should bear in mind that it was the first battle and a nominal victory perhaps but the war hasn’t ended. If democratic forces are thinking that it was the first and last attack on the Parliament then they are mistaken.”
“This is a war for power — for control of the state.”
