NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) alongwith other democratic parties will continue to stand firm on the sanctity of Constitution and future of democracy even if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government succumbs to pressure.

“We will fight for democracy. We will see who has the courage to derail democracy. There will be no compromise on Constitution and democracy. We have established democracy in the country after a long struggle,” Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah expressed these views on the floor of the House on Friday.

The Opposition Leader said, “If anyone snatches the government from the ruling party on the basis of its might, it will not die but remain alive. We have nothing to do with the protection of a government but we will go the extra mile to protect the Parliament and Constitution.

He said the Parliamentarians were deeply hurt by the news that the Prime Minister had requested the Army Chief to play a role of a mediator to end the current political crisis. “The statement was meant to create misunderstanding among the people. The military institution is very respectable and important as it defends the boundaries of our country. The PML-N government has called army under Article 245 of the Constitution. The Interior Minister made it clear in his speech that PTI Chief Imran Khan and PAT Chief Thair-ul-Qadir met the Chief of Army Staff on their own requests. The military should clarify its position by issuing a statement through Inters Services Public Relations (ISPR). It should be clear enough to satisfy 20 million people,” he said.

He said the House should stand by its resolution, adding that people having a numerical strength of only two union councils are sitting in front of the Parliament house and have made Constitution and the Parliament hostage.

“These people are challenging the government in the name of democracy and I will ask the Prime Minister to make no compromise on the Constitution. If they [PTI and PAT workers] move forward, they should be allowed to come, as our children and mothers have been misguided don’t fire on them; if they want to set Parliament on fire they should be allowed. If they want to set ablaze Islamabad, they should be allowed; however, we will not allow them to torch the Constitution. We should not allow the democratic institutions to bow before anybody’s dictation,” he said.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtunkhwa Mili Awami Party said the government should have issued a timely reaction as delays cause confusion. He said the fight to defend democracy has entered a decisive phase and we will continue our struggle in this regard. He suggested that a joint session of the parliament should be summoned to address the issue.