KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly has expressed its concern over the situation emerging in Islamabad from the sit-ins being staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and termed their ‘illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’ demands a conspiracy against democracy, the constitution and the people of Pakistan.

The assembly, which adopted a joint resolution on the subject with consensus on Friday, also condemned the use of unparliamentary language by PTI and PAT leaders against the country’s leadership. It stated that being the custodian and guardian of democracy and the constitution, the house fully supported — and would stand by — democracy and the rule of law at any cost.

The resolution, which was tabled by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Sorath Thebo, also bore the signatures of some MPAs of the PML-Functional and the Pakistan Peoples Party including ministers Dr Sikander Mandhro and Sharjeel Inam Memon.

Earlier, the house was called to order at 11am on its second day of business with Deputy Speaker Syeda Shahehla Raza in the chair. After the completion of its business, the session was prorogued sine die at 2pm by the orders of acting governor Agha Siraj Durrani.

Abdul Razzaq of the Jamaat-i-Islami, who was declared successful from the PS-93 constituency by the election tribunal after the rigging charges had been proved against his rival PTI candidate Syed Hafeezuddin, did not turn up to take the oath during the two-day session of the assembly.

Also contrary to the expectations, the fate of resignations submitted by PTI legislators Samar Ali Khan, Khurram Sherzaman and Dr Seema Zia almost over two weeks ago remained undecided.

Speaking on her resolution, PML-N lawmaker Sorath Thebo said the so-called revolutionary leaders wanted to come into power through unconstitutional methods. She said they were seeking resignation of the elected prime minister in their quest for power while damaging the national assets and trampling the sanctity of the assemblies in their struggle.

She said that if the election had been rigged, why the PTI was still in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a year after the general elections. She said that in fact their agenda was to roll back democracy in the country in accordance with the London Gate.

Ms Thebo paid tribute to the democratic forces that played their role in support of democracy and to save Pakistan.

MQM lawmaker Khwaja Izharul Hasan said they could not remain silent over the killing of innocent people in the Model Town tragedy. The people staging sit-ins were Pakistanis, he said, adding that all their demands could not be termed unconstitutional. The MQM played the role of a bridge between the government and the marchers, he said, adding that their demands should be given consideration but nobody could be allowed to derail democracy.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2014