National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has called for decisive action regarding the events that transpired in parliament last night regarding arrests of multiple PTI lawmakers from allegedly within and outside the Parliament House.
Speaking during a session of the assembly on Tuesday, Sadiq said: "Action will have to be taken over what happened in parliament last night."
He also said he had has ordered the retrieval of CCTV footage from all entry points and within the Parliament House, including gate numbers one and five, the cabinet side gate, and inside the building.
Expressing his dismay, Sadiq remarked that he feels "unlucky" as he has witnessed significant disturbances in parliament during his tenure. He recalled the 2014 alleged attack on Parliament House, in which a party, aided by its "cousin", was involved. He recalled he had personally filed an FIR against the involved party back then and stated his intention to do so again if necessary.
The speaker then summoned Ali Muhammad Khan, Syed Naveed Qamar, and Azam Nazeer Tarar to his chamber for a discussion. He urged them to engage in dialogue to address the situation, stressing the importance of resolving such matters through conversation.
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PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan also provided all the footage from last night to the speaker. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party President Abdul Aleem Khan is also part of the consultation, along with JUI-F's Noor Alam Khan, Aminul Haq of the MQM, Rana Sanaullah, Shandana Gulzar and Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
The speaker also summoned the Islamabad police chief to Parliament House, along with the DIG and SSP. Sources said that the speaker has instructed the police officials to bring along the details of cases against assembly members.
Law minister says any excesses will be admitted to
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said if seeds of poison are sown, the flowers that bloom would be equally poisonous, adding that similarly, ideas and discussions will elicit reactions. He said this is a problem of the House and no one will back out.
Tarar called for restraint and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law amidst escalating political tensions. He also stressed the need to control emotions and work towards constructive solutions. "There are brothers on both sides; we have to control our emotions," he remarked, advocating for a measured approach to the current political climate.
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He warned against the potential for increased divisiveness pledged to address any wrongdoings and work towards a resolution. "I will accept the wrong done and correct it," he declared.
Rana Tanveer questions PTI's commitment to democracy
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain delivered a scathing critique of the PTI, questioning the party's commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Referring to past incidents involving PTI members, he recalled how the dignity of parliament was compromised.
"Yesterday, when PTI members were attacking parliament, we warned them," Hussain said, recalling his prior caution not to take actions that would damage the institution's reputation. "Where was democracy then, when women were being harassed in hotel rooms at midnight?" he questioned.
Naveed Qamar condemns PTI leaders' arrest
PPP MNA Naveed Qamar, speaking on the floor of the House, said the allegations that are being made were a "serious matter”. Referring to the 2014 sit-in by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Qamar said: “When Ali Muhammad Khan and his colleagues came to the gate of parliament, we declared it an attack.”
“Whatever happened last night was done by entering parliament and it's like crossing all the red lines. If you don't take action today, there is no limit to this,” Qamar reminded his party's ally, the PML-N.
