Commenting on the arrests of PTI MNAs, even from inside the parliament, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Wednesday that if the government would reply to the opposition in the same coin, then things would not change, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking at the National Assembly, he tried to make the government realize that if the PTI leaders had made the atmosphere hostile through their hate speeches, then the government should not do the same, adding if the latter would do that, it would have to pay for it in the future. “You and I will also be in jail for that,” he warned.
PPP chairman said it was unfortunate that people in the country no longer held a good opinion about politics as it had now been associated with violence.
He further said that irrespective of the fact whatever politicians did outside the parliament, when it came to the legislature, each one of them had a responsibility.
Bilawal said that it was the job of the opposition to point out weaknesses in governance and guide the government.
He asserted that no state institution could function properly until and unless it complied with the constitution, which is supreme. “And unless the parliament is functional, the country cannot be functional.”
He wondered how Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would be able to serve the masses when he would shout abuses at his political opponents.
PPP chairman said that he had been greatly disappointed by the resignation given by veteran Baloch politician Sardar Akhtar Mengal for whom he had a lot of respect. “His presence in the House was quite necessary.”
Bilawal said there was a lobby, which did not want to see unity between the government and the opposition.
Reacting to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s statement, he said that the party MNAs should neither resign from their seats nor should they quit the committees. “Such decisions will surely please those who do not want to see you in the parliament. Stay in the House and play your role,” he advised.
Bilawal called for the formation of a committee in which each political party was equally represented and in which all viewpoints were listened to.
Govt fears PTI’s street power, says Gohar
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar, addressing the National Assembly, stated that PTI members are not going to run away if they have no fear of 'forced disappearances' in the country.
Gohar emphasised the party’s long-standing call for dialogue to find a way forward for the sake of the country and democracy.
He claimed that the government used the rally as an excuse, but their real target was PTI members, as evidenced by arrests made directly from the Assembly floor.
Barrister Gohar stressed that production orders are their legal right as parliamentarians. He criticised the Speaker for sharing details of the CCTV footage without showing them.
The PTI chairman also stated that the government fears his party's power, saying, "Only one rally of PTI could topple the government." He insisted that PTI members are not fleeing and urged authorities not to use force against their workers.
He further criticised the government's actions during their scheduled public meeting in Islamabad on August 8, mentioning that containers were placed everywhere to block their way and that they had planned to end the rally before 6 PM.
Despite the obstacles, Gohar reiterated PTI’s resolve and refusal to back down, maintaining that the government fears their public strength.
Ishaq Dar for not crossing ‘red line’ in politics
Deputy Prime Minister and PML-N stalwart Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that every party had the right to do politics, but there was a Red Line that must not be crossed.
Speaking at the National Assembly, he, while referring to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s speech in which he had talked about the Charter of Democracy, said that nobody had forgotten it. “Late prime minister Benazir Bhutto from the PPP and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from the PML-N had inked the document,” he recalled.
“Prior to that, the PML-N and the PPP had bitter relations,” he recalled.
Dar said that it was after signing the charter that work on the 18th Amendment got underway.
He stressed the need for studying how parliaments worked in other countries. “If we keep fighting with each other, the same thing will happen that happened late Monday night,” he said while referring to the arrests of PTI MNAs from inside the Parliament House.
He said this was not the first time that the dignity of the parliament had been trampled upon. “This is the third such incident.”
The deputy prime minister said he agreed with the government’s suggestion to form a committee. “But we should also look into how Pakistan, which in 2017 was the 24th largest economy in the world, went downhill and its economy dropped to 47th spot,” he emphasized.
He was of the view that there was a need to tell the nation the reasons for the downfall.
Similarly, Dar asserted, there was a need to ascertain why terrorism, which had been eliminated courtesy untiring efforts by the PML-N government (2013-2017), raised its head again.
Mustafa Kamal says opposition is powerless in house
Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Mustafa Kamal has said that the opposition in National Assembly has no power, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
In his speech in the house Mustafa Kamal said someone will have to start reality based talk in the house when the leader of the opposition is under arrest and don't anybody should mind it.
Mustafa Kamal you have to think how long it will last like riding a lion.
How will the talk be done by abusing the institutions? he questioned.
Law will take course if someone challenges state’s writ: Kh Asif
Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Mohammad Asif has said that state recorded its agitation yesterday night.
Talking with newsmen in the Parliament House, Minister for Defence said that in response to PTI leaders humiliated remarks, journalist community also protested.
He further said that law will take its course if somebody will challenge state’s writ.
Khawaja Mohammad Asif said that he himself was imprisoned for six to seven months and held meetings with family members handcuffed but despite his innocence he faced it bravely and courage.
He said that he is not aware whether PTI leaders were arrested inside the Parliament House or outside, but in his opinion PTI leaders were arrested outside the Parliament House.
He said that political workers are respectful for everyone and must be arrested with respect and dignity.
Reporter Rozina Ali