No floor crossing as per law, says Atta Tatar

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that parliament is the supreme institution and it has the prerogative of legislation, saying floor crossing cannot be allowed under the law, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Attaullah Tatar said the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024 passed by the National Assembly and the Senate on Tuesday consolidated the already existed rule under which the independents were required to join a party within three days.

The minister said the parliament through the legislation has converted this rule into a law. He questioned whether the affidavit submitted by the independents to join a specific party can be cancelled. He said floor crossing cannot be allowed under the law and the constitution.

Responding to a question, Tarar said there has been positive progress in talks with Jamaat-e-Islami. He said another round of talks will be held with the party today, expressing the confidence that the matters will be taken to a conclusion. He said it is the agenda of the government to provide relief to the masses.

Commenting on the situation in Bangladesh, the minister said the government and people of Pakistan stand with the people of Bangladesh. He was appreciative of the resilience and courage of the people of Bangladesh.

Drawing a comparison between Sheikh Hasina Wajid and the PTI, Tarar said both sought foreign intervention, believed in divisive politics and were involved in corruption. He said Sheikh Hasina Wajid sought help from the country which is committing blatant human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.