PPP throws weight behind beleaguered PTI over de-seating uproar

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PPP throws weight behind beleaguered PTI over de-seating uproar

Dawn.com Published July 30, 2015

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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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Ajr

Jul 30, 2015 02:51pm

Muk muka

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Sher

Jul 30, 2015 02:58pm

Ask Maulana and MQM, Public their demands;- 1) Maulana is asking KPK Government with the help of NOON. 2)MQM is asking - Stop Rangers. Both are hungry, I don't think they can get anything.

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Alien

Jul 30, 2015 02:58pm

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) both are corrupt parties .... go a head Remove PTI from NA but after Election they will be there again .............Inshallah..... Soon MQM AND JUI (F) will be Past..............

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Yaqoob

Jul 30, 2015 02:59pm

PTI should resign in principle. By law they are deseated. Seems like NS is too scared to make this happen as there will be another dharna on another pretext as pti will be left only for street agitation.

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Zahid Khan

Jul 30, 2015 02:59pm

PTI must stay in parliament other wise it will be a political chaos, As the PM statement 2 days back he will not de-seat PTI... and it was a good and positive decision.

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Shakil Ahmed Khan

Jul 30, 2015 03:04pm

I think PTI should resign from the parliament, they didnt get justice even by Judicial commission, there is no point staying assemblies and then face these humiliation that anyone can kick you out! Resign come out and go for protests in mega cities, buldoze it down the illegal governments and call for fresh elections.

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Dr.Sadaf

Jul 30, 2015 03:08pm

It was basically ruling party who put maulana in the front with the demand to teach PTI a lesson and give them sleepless nights and let them know that they can do this with them anytime they want so if you want to sit in the seats there will be no real opposition from your side, PPP supporting PTI does not make sense or maybe they just do not want any political chaos.

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Tanweer Khan

Jul 30, 2015 03:10pm

@Zahid Khan I am no fan of PTI - as to my mind, it has no distinct identity, other than being the cricket captain and national sporting hero Imran Khan's party. Neither am I fan of any of the other parties - as they are just family run closed shops. But I agree with you, de-seating PTI will cause immense political chaos, which cannot afford after last year's chaos - and the ultimate losers in the long run will be the Pakistani public. During last year's political chaos, we had the Peshawar attacks - do we really want to be distracted and let our guards down once again?

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tauba

Jul 30, 2015 03:15pm

Maulana has been part of every govt . has no contribution to Pakistan.

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zain

Jul 30, 2015 03:18pm

About time PTI and its leaders learnt lessons, pointing fingers at others without any proof must stop.

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Mansoor Sajid

Jul 30, 2015 03:33pm

Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Peoples Party stalwart Khursheed Shah is the most sensible person among PPP. His balance approach in resolving serious matters speaks eloquently of his maturity.

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Adeel

Jul 30, 2015 03:34pm

PML-N cannot pass any resolution because Shahbaz Sharif will under the hammer too as hee was absent for more than 40 days too oops

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A Pakistani

Jul 30, 2015 03:35pm

Was it constitutional when the "Maulana" (according to WikiLeaks) was asking the US to let him have power or Altaf Hussain asking (according to videos shown on some Pakistani TV channels) India to provide refuge and support to his party and supporters. Or for that matter MQM asking for another martial law in the country?

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PTI-Fan

Jul 30, 2015 03:42pm

I thinnest would be fair would be for the PTI members to voluntarily resign again and reflections to be held on their seats but only after the government introduced the electoral reforms suggested by the committee. Then under free and fair elections let PTI be the test case!

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Muhammad Ahmad Aziz

Jul 30, 2015 03:44pm

I believe that while it will end with the PTI remaining in the party, it will serve as a good lesson in humility for the PTI MNAs. Since forever they have hidden behind IKs clout. They should either resign en masse as IK demanded from them, or they should've stood up against IK clearly. You can't play for both sides and expect to be treated respectfully.

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M Akram

Jul 30, 2015 03:55pm

MQM and JUI - 2 ugly faces of Pakistan and true lotas of Pakistan politics.

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GenX

Jul 30, 2015 04:01pm

We all know why MQM and JUI want de-seating but it is very strange that PTI itself is silent on the way forward. I think it has been a biggest dent on PTIs reputation. Unfortunately they didn’t learn from their past mistakes but let’s hope they will learn from this mistake but it seems the tendency isn’t there. IK need to understand that educated people will never support such politics of agitation. Don’t do things that make you indifferent political leader of Pakistan.

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kanwarch

Jul 30, 2015 04:09pm

MQM and JUI(F) are the true examples of what is wrong with Pakistani politics

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SABER

Jul 30, 2015 04:10pm

Yes, PPP need PTI to neutralize MQM in parliament.

Recommend 0

Jul 30, 2015 04:19pm

One should remind the incompetent lot in JUI and MQM that even if PTI is in opposition, its elected members reflect the mandate given to them by the people, who elected them. It is not up to the parliament to decide if PTI MNAs should be allowed in or not, it is up to the people. This nonsensical and uneducated display further shows the undemocratic and unprofessional approach of the two accusing parties.

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nadeem

Jul 30, 2015 04:29pm

@GenX do you mean educated people will vote for ppp mqm jui and pmln,who to gather brought Pakistan to the knees. And destroyed all the institutions . nobody can get any justice in Pakistan and his life is save in Pakistan.you need break this status quo.

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Neutral

Jul 30, 2015 04:32pm

If happens PTI will get fresh oxygen...just a drama as neither MQM or JUI wants this to happen because of the political milage that PTI can get by playing the victim card again. Nothing is gonna happen just busy talk shows with all kind of verbal slaps and egos. PMLN wants to have trouble free remaining years to make most of business opportunities and development funds utilization for personal and favourites gains.

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zain

Jul 30, 2015 04:33pm

@kanwarch what's wrong for upholding the constitution

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Neutral

Jul 30, 2015 04:35pm

Both of these parties remained in power for long period of times and our system is such that once they are not in power, they are squarely blaming the very people they were working for over a decade ... Now they are the sacred cows and rest of the parties at fault. MQm looking to neutralize rangers and Maulana just wants to stay relevant and looking for islamic Halwa as usual.

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M. Siddique

Jul 30, 2015 04:42pm

Personal rather than nation interests are in play here. JUI-F has its axe to grind in KPK and MQM is slowly losing ground to PTI in Karachi.

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M. Siddique

Jul 30, 2015 04:44pm

@Yaqoob, They are de-seated only if there resignation is ACCEPTED which were NOT. Now it is too late.

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excalibur

Jul 30, 2015 04:47pm

Just be careful this time IK both PPP and PMLn are muk muka parties of staus quo Watch your back and dont fall for the Good Cop Bad Cop ruse

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Rafay

Jul 30, 2015 04:50pm

PTI should resign and leave the country to the corrupts leaders as that what we deserve really.

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mghusein9@yahoo.co.uk

Jul 30, 2015 04:51pm

I am not a Pakistani but really I am surprised with the comments made by the contributors who have suggested that PTI should resign. The Pakistani constitution is very specific and clear that any person or party who do not attend the National assembly meeting for 40 sessions should be considered as having lost its parliamentary seat. Constitution is solid and must be followed and there can not be any alternatives. Those who did not attend the N.A. must be considered as having lost their seat in the Assembly and must be terminated. To suggest otherwise means the Constitution is being flouted and in that case what the use of making constitution if it is not followed. Such alternatives can be made in Pakistan only!!!!

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Yaar Nawab

Jul 30, 2015 05:08pm

@GenX define "educated" please !!! I know massive amount of people with many many years of "e d u c a t i o n" fully supporting IK and PTI.

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Aziz Bhoi

Jul 30, 2015 05:08pm

It will be unwise to dearest PTI From Parliament. If PTI is de seated , take it granted that 2015 will year of General Election & there after PTI Chairman will be PM of Pakistan. SKS: PPP decision Is Excellent. PTI (IK) is future of Pakistan.

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Jul 30, 2015 05:14pm

These are " Jaali" assemblies why PTI want to go back. Let them keep doing & enjoying the politics of agitation on the beats of a DJ

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hkhan

Jul 30, 2015 05:15pm

As per agreement PTI agreed that they will accept JC findings and they have no option but to be in the parliament though its against the constitution and the parliament should vote and see how these parliamentarians care about the constitution. The fact is that JC failed to investigate the way the mandate was stolen. The biggest question why that wrong ink was used due to which the thumb verification can not be carried out. Those who wanted to manipulate the election should have been pointed out and given exemplary punishment.

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Tanweer Khan

Jul 30, 2015 05:20pm

@mghusein9@yahoo.co.uk Valid points - but the PTI did formally resign in 2014. However the speaker did not accept those resignations at the time. To de-seat them now, after having rejected their resignations - and then asked them to return to Parliament - is pretty much pointless, and serves very little purpose. So whilst ordinarily, it would be a clear cut case of expulsion; in the current context it would leave a clear blood stain on the politics of Pakistan, which by the way has many stains already and doesn't need one more. But the constitution has definitely been violated, that's for sure - by the Speaker, the PTI and the government - and they all now need to save face and some credibility.

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Sehr siddiqui

Jul 30, 2015 05:34pm

The Rule of Law is missing in this country. They were absent and they had publicly resigned from the assembly. If you extend the logic of personal appearance before Speaker, then you should also invite Altaf Hussain to come and admit what he said. and invite TTP to come and admit that they were responsible in APS killing in Peshawar. Follow the Law and do not make mockery of it.

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bhola

Jul 30, 2015 05:44pm

I agree with Zahid Khan. By deseating PTI N-league will land itself in hot water.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Jul 30, 2015 05:59pm

Why PTI want to stay in assemblies they themselves declared RIGGED and BOGUS (consistently iterated during 126 days dharna)?

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Tariq Awan

Jul 30, 2015 06:05pm

Nawaz s will never proceed to deseat however if it was IK in position lile Nawaz S, I am pretty sure he would have de seated NS. NZ knows how to make right decision rather IK has no sense at all and vision to make any sound political decision.

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Salih

Jul 30, 2015 06:11pm

@Sher ....Agreed...and all this is supported by PML-N. Why MQM & JUI-F were not putting their Movs earlier, now when JCR (Controversial) is final they realised this. Can't understand the PTI move as well, if Resignation was not a problem at that time, lets do it again, go to the public and test your acceptability. Supporters are supporters, whether JCR is in favour of you or not, Specially this JCR, when everyone knows the deliberately benefited party.

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Muhammad

Jul 30, 2015 06:31pm

Molana' s corruption stories as were circulating on social media should be investigated and if found correct, he and his party should banned for ever.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jul 30, 2015 06:49pm

PPP, PML-N and PTI all are one from inside. They are insurance policies for each other.

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Owais Mangal

Jul 30, 2015 06:53pm

@PTI-Fan Dear PTI fan. Lets see how NS and other handle this situation. PTI is not afraid of going home. Besides, PTI keeps on working on their agenda whenever and wherever possible.

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Chaudhry

Jul 30, 2015 06:59pm

PTI must de-seated.

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Azeem

Jul 30, 2015 07:02pm

If PTI is lawful party then why they insisting to join assembly. If Constitution doesn't not permit to do so.

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Aijaz

Jul 30, 2015 07:13pm

PTI leadership and their supporters should value and appreciate the support provided by PPP in saving their seats in the National Assembly. PTI should be now carful in using abusing language against the PPP leadership and their supporters. PPP once again proved to be a mature party.

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M Jamal

Jul 30, 2015 07:28pm

PTI know the ground reality.If they were in win win position if the elections are held tomorrow they must have vacated their seats to create a turmoil ending with elections.But since they know they will again loose the election if they are held now they are happy with their seats and intend to consolidate their position for 2018 election.But they are living in fool paradise as with the passage of time PTI has/will loose the charm for reason known to all of us.RIP PTI.

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DisparateAamer

Jul 30, 2015 07:39pm

PPP knows that an early election would shrink them even further. So they can't afford even the slightest chance of happening that. PPP also knows that in next three years Khan will dig himself even deeper with his beautiful mind and a big pie hole.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 07:57pm

"We are leaving. We are coming back. We are resigning. We are returning." Imran Khan and Altaf Hussein are two different politicians sharing the same immaturity.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 08:00pm

@Yaqoob .... Imran Khan believes himself to be the Mahatma Gandhi of Pakistan.

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Aftab Siddiqui

Jul 30, 2015 08:03pm

Let the saner heads prevail. PTI should be allowed to continue their tenure in the Parliament. It is good for democracy, politics, and country. It is a win-win situation for all. Just to make it clear I am not a supporter or fan of PTI. There are bigger issues to be resolved for the people and the country. Let's not get side tracked and work together for the people who elected our MNAs to solve their problems.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 08:07pm

@Shakil Ahmed Khan ... .. Just what Pakistan needs ! More elections. I wonder how Nawaz Sharif finds the time to get anything done. Getting elected is Imran Khan's only objective. Sweeping Karachi of organized crime, flood control and building an economy are not. He has no idea managing a country takes a great deal of effort and work. He really thinks it all happens magically.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jul 30, 2015 08:09pm

Prestige is at stake for PTI to opt to return to the assembly with the help from PML(N) & or PPP(Z). This will become a permanent taunt for PTI. Better PTI should opt to go for bye-elections & win the seats again. Being underdog will impact PTI.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 08:09pm

@zain ... ... ... The PTI is Imran Khan, and Imran Khan is the PTI? Don't think so.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 08:13pm

@Muhammad Ahmad Aziz ... Imran Khan is putting himself at risk.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 08:15pm

@GenX ... Not to worry. Imran Khan's Oxford education will shine through.

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M Jamal

Jul 30, 2015 08:16pm

PTI will now retain their NA seats with the support of two wooden crutches one titled PPP and the other PMLN.Really shameful.

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Cyrus

Jul 30, 2015 08:18pm

@Muhammad Ahmad Aziz .... .... "Clout" is a political term coined by Irish politicians in Chicago in the 1950s. Must have gone viral.

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iqbal khan

Jul 30, 2015 08:31pm

yPTI should follow the rules of democracy and in this case the violated the rule and they should accept the consequences.

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nac Paris

Jul 30, 2015 09:01pm

Let them throw out PTI members. If they dare then IK should dissolve KP assembly and force re election which will result in MQM losing seats in Karachi and Fazal losing in KP.

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Umer Salahuddin

Jul 30, 2015 09:08pm

PTI members resigned by their own will and remained absent for 40 days and as per constitution they were disqualified. The constitution should be respected or a special resolution should be passed to allow these to sit-in the parliament.

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Sal

Jul 30, 2015 09:21pm

MQM and JUI are grand staring here. MQM leader is not in Pakistan for 30 years. JUI is ran by few mullas and they are not going anywhere

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Jul 30, 2015 09:53pm

What MQM is doing is trying to kill two birds with one stone . If PTI is deseated they will create problems for pml outside the assembly

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S. Ullah Swati

Jul 30, 2015 10:25pm

The PMLn equally broke the law by not accepting the resignation. So either both parties go or stay in til 2018!

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M Jamal

Jul 30, 2015 10:30pm

We have heard many times that IK is a tiger and he himself has been quoting time again that one day life of a tiger is better than 100 years life of a jackal.So I foresee next 3 years of PTI living like jackal under the shadow and sponsorship of PMLN and PPP or to prove now that they are Tiger and resign again from their NA seats.

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muhammad yousuf saleem

Jul 30, 2015 11:01pm

it is astonishing that parliament members don't follow the law.the absent legislators should themselves decide that they are no more part of the national assembly.on what basis they have been paid without rendering any service to people of pakistan.pti wasted so many funds on music and tents.these funds could be used for curing cancer patients.

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Hikayat shah

Jul 30, 2015 11:38pm

PPP is making good job from last year they support for continuing for democratic government and now they are supporting PTI because they think PTI have no any wrongdoing they should not be out of parliament they are elected Parliamentarians representative parliamentary

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Khan-USA

Jul 31, 2015 12:30am

@AA Very sensible on MQM part and as well as yours.

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Khan-USA

Jul 31, 2015 12:31am

@Sher If PTI had resigned then should not they be out of the assembly ?

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Khan-USA

Jul 31, 2015 12:37am

@Alien Well if PTI had resigned then dont you think they should have the guts to take the consequences ? Why at the mercy of others ? MQM and JUI F were elected and never had resigned. If PTI had resigned which they did then why not go back and get the fresh mandate. Here , only PML N can save them , whom PTI had been calling corrupt and thugs. What moral justification PTI has and what future and dignity they will have if retained in assembly by same PML N run by corrupt and thugs?

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Jul 31, 2015 02:13am

In principle and in accordance with constitutional requirements, the PTI resignations should be accepted

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Corruption Remover

Jul 31, 2015 02:18am

If is it true that PTI went back because of the agreement with PMLN government then Imran should tell all PTI MNAs to boycott the assembly, till these corrupt and criminal parties apologize to PTI MNAs In-fact Sharif and PMLN MNAs are with the dirty politics of MQM and JUI-F on this Let the peoples of Pakistan decide on the street who should be in the NA. If peoples do not care about their and their children futures and wants these corrupt leaders to keep destroying Pakistan then so be it. PTI has tried its best and ECP has been exposed for conducting election with no rules. Now it is Peoples of Pakistan turn to decide if they want these corrupt leader keep destroying their children future along with Pakistan or they want to tell these corrupt leaders that your time is up

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Pak1

Jul 31, 2015 02:58am

PTI should show aggressive posture and push a resolution in NA to declare MQM and JUIF as political face of terrorist. There more then enough evidence against them to support, protect and use terrorists for their political gains

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Syed Hassan

Jul 31, 2015 03:25am

The issue at hand is a classic example of the moral bankruptcy of our society in particular and our nation in general. It is a simple matter of upholding the law. If according to State's constitution, PTI's membership has become nullified then they should be shown the door. If not, then the speaker should clearly make a ruling and put the issue to rest. Both sides are arguing based on reconciliation, sympathy, apathy etc but no body is putting the law as supreme. This is our dilemma, we have lost the capability of separating the right from wrong. As for PTI, even they are clinging onto their seats knowing that they have lost the very basis for the membership. This was the party who atleast was trumpeting the politics of principles. So much for the principles.

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Muzaffar Ali

Jul 31, 2015 03:30am

Signs of mature democracy! We are talking not going to the streets!

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Shahid

Jul 31, 2015 04:31am

Storm in a teacup...

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malzy

Jul 31, 2015 05:08am

PPP against de-seating and so is Nawaz Sharif .

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Khan-USA

Jul 31, 2015 05:47am

@Sher If JUI F can make government in KP then its their legal rights and as for Rangers is concerned , Rangers are fighting not for PML N but it is their own fight with the help of army and PML N has no control over army , which has sent NS twice home . MQM will get everything from its voters, money or vote .

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kdspirited

Jul 31, 2015 06:13am

IK said today. Go ahead deseat us make my day. They dont have the guts. This would mean new elections which PMLN cannot afford

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m m amin

Jul 31, 2015 06:40am

Why this kite flying and not heeding the Law? Is that the way to lend dignity to the Parliament ? Politics and Opportunism need to give space to The Rule of Law . The Speaker needs to act as per law .This alone shall bring an end to the sterile "debate".

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