ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution calling for safeguarding democracy in the country, DawnNews reported.
The resolution, tabled by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), stated that democracy will be safeguarded in accordance with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
The resolution said that country's defence and development are linked with democracy.
It said the parliament is working for the constitution, rule of law and the democracy and will continue to do so.
Earlier during the day, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMap) chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the federation would not be able to survive if the Constitution and the Parliament were tampered with.
Achakzai said that he will stand against those who try to subvert the constitution.
“I will completely support those who believe in the constitution, supremacy of parliament and democratic system,” he added.
He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif learnt from his experience that there will be no compromise on the constitution, parliament, democracy and rule of law.
The PkMap chief said that Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri may come to Islamabad and talk about their demands but they should not ‘set a tradition to harm the democratic system through protest and rallies’.
“I declare an open war against those who will try to harm the parliament, constitution and the democracy,” he said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said that the government will not allow anyone to derail democracy.
He urged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to use the forum of Parliament to resolve the issues.
Aftab said that Prime Minister also offered Imran Khan to sit together for resolving the issues.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Abdul Rashid Godil said that the attention is not being paid to solve the problems of the people. He said Local Bodies Elections should be held for resolving the problems of the people at their doorsteps.
PTI MNA Murad Saeed said that it is the constitutional right of the PTI to hold protests against the rigging in the general elections of May 2013.
He added that the federal government would be held responsible if democracy was derailed.
Saeed also said that the demand of mid-term election is not against the constitution.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Abdul Qadir Baloch said that the government believes in peace and does not want to use force against the protesters.
“The PAT Chief should not put the lives of children and women in danger for the sake of the adventurers,” he requested.
He said that the executive has no power to take action on complaints of the PTI Chief regarding the verification of the votes in four constituencies.
“The PTI should lay a bill in the house to give such powers to the executive,” he added.
PML-N MNA Marvi Memon said that the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) have started war against parliament and democracy and are spreading anarchy in the country.
She said general election of 2013 was better than previous elections as was recognised by the international organisations.
Memon said that the PTI members are saying that the present members of the different political parties have a fake mandate.
“Why are the PTI members not ready to resign from the National Assembly,” she questioned.
The development comes as Islamabad braces for protest marches led by PTI chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri who have vowed to topple the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The two plan to march on August 14, when Pakistan celebrates Independence Day, accompanied by thousands of supporters in an anti-government rally protesting alleged rigging during last year's general election.
It is pertinent to mention here that the PML-N came into power, following its victory during the 2013 general elections marred by rigging allegations, which was the first democratic transition of power in the country.
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