ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday categorically said that he was ready to face the ouster for respecting the parliament’s decisions, but would never undermine the trust the legislature had reposed in him.
The prime minister, after voluntarily winning the vote of confidence by 180 members following a resolution, said it was his duty to respect the parliament’s decision.
The resolution for vote of confidence was moved by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari saying, “The National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan reposes its full confidence in the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, as the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
Consequently, 180 lawmakers arose from their seats to support the resolution.
“Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was unjustly martyred, Nawaz Sharif was disqualified, Yusuf Raza Gilani was disqualified. Today the parliament has given me the vote of confidence. By God, if they oust me in response to this vote of confidence, I am ready to go back thousands of time but will let them down,” the prime minister resolved as the members thumped their desks.
He said it was not possible that the court granted a stay on a law passed by the parliament even before its finalization.
“The framing and amendment of the constitution is the parliament’s right. The court has no power to rewrite the constitution… If the parliament raises its voice… the threat of contempt is given,” he remarked.
He reiterated that the coalition government would only accept the 4-3 verdict of the supreme court bench.
Referring to the parliament’s decisions on elections, the prime minister said he as well as the government were bound to respect those decisions.
“The parliament’s dignity and constitutional status is being challenged. no one can grab the parliament dignity and its constitutional powers…Insha Allah, I stand by you and will continue to do so,” he assured.
The prime minister thanked the members for the confidence vote and assured them that he would come up to their expectations and would never undermine their trust.
He expressed gratitude to coalition parties leaders including Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulana Asad Mahmood, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Khalid Magsi, Chaudhry Shujaat, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Aimal Wali Khan, Amin Haider Hoti, Shahzain Bugti, Mohsin Dawar, Aslam Bhootani, Allama Sajid Mir, Dr Abdul Malik, Aftab Sherpao and Mehmood Achakzai.
He said Pakistan was faced with utmost challenges jut because of the previous government which was formed through a rigged and “fraud” elections.
Recalling the suspension of the RTS system and unnecessary delay in poll results, the prime minister requested the National Assembly Speaker to hold a probe into that rigging to reveal the facts.
He said that through its two provincial ministers, the PTI leadership tried to impede the IMF agreement which to make the 220 million of Pakistan suffer.
Blaming Imran Khan for undermining Pakistan’s foreign relations, he said thanks to Allah Almighty, the Russian cargo ship carrying cheaper oil was about to depart from Russia, consequent to the incumbent government’s efforts particularly the foreign and petroleum ministers.
Referring to the audio leak of ex-CJP Saqib Nisar and Tariq Raheem, the prime minister said the former had been badly exposed as he was the one who stage-managed the 2018 election for the PTI besides destroying the institutions including Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute just to accommodate his brother.
He told the House that despite serious reservations of some of the leaders, the coalition government had agreed to hold dialogue with PTI through Senate chairman on single day election across Pakistan.
He questioned as why the court was only concerned about the poll in Punjab only and said nothing about KP polls. He questioned whether the elections only in Punjab would not impact the later polls in other provinces.
He also mentioned the unnecessary delay in the launch of Lahore Orange Line due to the delayed decision by Saqib Nisar just no to let the PML-N claim the credit of the mega projects.
Calling it a double standard, the prime minister said Imran Khan got eight bails within “eight minutes” while the arrest warrants were issue against the leaders from other parties just for appearing late before the NAB court.
He also drew apex court’s attention towards hundreds of the people languishing in Kot Lakhpat Jail while awaiting the hearing of their bail applications.
