PPP throws weight behind beleaguered PTI over de-seating uproar

Published July 30, 2015
With the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) demanding to de-seat the PTI, the party said Thursday that its return to the assembly was based on an agreement with the government.  —AFP/File
With the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) demanding to de-seat the PTI, the party said Thursday that its return to the assembly was based on an agreement with the government. —AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: Angry opposition parties rivaling the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) are making a fresh attempt to bar the party from the National Assembly, after a judicial commission ruled against Imran Khan’s allegations of rigging in the May 2013 elections.

With the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) demanding to de-seat the PTI, the party said Thursday that its return to the assembly was based on an agreement with the government.

Outside Parliament, senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi asked why PTI lawmakers were allowed to attend budget sessions if the party was not considered a part of the assembly.

His statement comes two days after voting was deferred in the National Assembly on a resolution submitted by the MQM and JUI-F to de-seat PTI lawmakers from the NA, owing to their absence from the lower house of parliament during the party's 126-day sit-in in Islamabad. The prime minister has asked the parties to take back their resolutions, but the MQM and JUI-F have requested time to consider the move.

Read: Absence during dharna: NA vote to de-seat PTI MNAs deferred for one week

Outside Parliament, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman questioned why PTI's assembly membership was being restored after its legislators had submitted their resignations.

"We are expressing our reservations in a constitutional manner," he said. "According to the constitution, after a resignation is submitted, the seat stands empty."

The JUI-F chief further said that when it came to the place of PTI lawmakers in the NA, his party was not satisfied.

PPP throws weight behind PTI

Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Peoples Party stalwart Khursheed Shah today said the government should vote in favour of the PTI, adding that a political party should not be removed from Parliament.

Shah reiterated that PTI's return to the House was based on an agreement with the government and not supporting the party at this point will be problematic for the government.

The opposition leader further said that the PPP will oppose motions put forward in the NA to de-seat PTI.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged JUI-F and MQM legislators to withdraw de-seating motions against PTI lawmakers.

Also read: Nawaz urges JUI-F, MQM to withdraw deseating motions against PTI

The premier met parliamentary heads of political parties on Wednesday and thanked the leadership for showing resolve and remaining steadfast for the supremacy of the Constitution and for upholding the principles of democracy. Most of the parliamentary heads expressed their opinion in favour of withdrawal of motions against PTI MNAs.

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