Pakistan Parliament meets to end political crisis

On Tuesday, a joint session of Parliament was convened to end the deepening crisis.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has advocated the special session to address the ongoing nationwide mass protest demanding his resignation from the PM’s post.

According to reports received from Pakistan’s news channels, it has been learnt that PMO has clarified that the session will go on for the rest of the week to provide extra opportunity to revive the country’s political stability.

Pakistan’s Geo TV reported that during the session, the Pak Government assured the house that the entire parliament is united against invasion and mutiny.

Quoting Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Geo TV said, the country is passing through extremely critical times.

He said that this parliament is the voice of 180 million people and is united in the face of invasion and mutiny against the state of Pakistan by a few thousand people.

It has been learnt that he also led a scathing attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan for back-stabbing the Government.

Federal Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique also reiterated the statement of Nisar Ali Khan.

He said, all the political parties are united in this time of crisis to safeguard democracy and constitution and assured the nation that that no force can derail democracy.

On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said opposition parties support the constitution and democracy unconditionally.

Ahsan cautioned that if the government overcame this crisis its ministers would become more arrogant, Geo TV reported.

Ahsan stressed that the government would need to change its attitude going forward and evaluate what led to this political crisis in the country.

He also attacked the PM reminding him of his previous ventures as the country’s head of the state.

He said, “You (PM) in a speech on 17 April 1998 said you would not be resigning but resigned on 18 April 1998.”

Earlier on Monday, Nawaz Sharif said, that he will not resign. He will not bow to protesters’ demands.

Pakistan has been in turmoil since mid-August when tens of thousands of protesters led by Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahir ul-Qadri gathered in the capital Islamabad refusing to leave unless Sharif resigns.

Demonstrations turned violent and chaotic over the weekend as protesters armed by clubs and wearing gas masks against teargas tried to storm Sharif's residence.

Three people were killed and hundreds wounded. On Monday demonstrators "besieged" state run PTV headquarters in Islamabad forcing to stop their transmission. Later, Pak Army and police freed the building and resumed the transmission.

By convening a joint session of parliament, where Sharif has a solid majority, the prime minister seeks to reaffirm that he is fully in control of the situation.

He and his aides have repeatedly said he would not quit.

Pak President Mamnoon Hussain had summoned the joint session of the parliament on the advice of PM Nawaz Sharif who was also present in the session.

Speaker NA Ayaz Sadiq and Chairman Senate Nayyar Bukhari jointly presided the session.

Meanwhile, reports came pouring in that the Pakistan Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that the time has come that the apex court should define the limitations of fundamental rights of citizens as the court was duty-bound to enforce these rights in their true letter and spirit.

The court also issued notice to all the political parties for resolving the ongoing political unrest in the federal capital that is also disturbing the whole country.

A four judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk heard the possible extra constitutional case which was later on adjourned till September 3.

The SC on Monday had directed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to suggest an amicable solution to the ongoing political turmoil but both the parties failed to produce any solution.