It is the constitutional right of opposition parties to move a no-confidence motion against PM: Qureshi
ISLAMABAD, April 09 (SABAH): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that the government will face the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Parties against the Prime Minister in a constitutional, political and democratic manner.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Saturday, on the points raised by Leader of the Opposition Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, he said that it is the constitutional right of opposition parties to move a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his address to the nation on Friday, expressed dissatisfaction over the Supreme Court judgment but also stated that he accepts the judgment. He said given current political situation the Prime Minister dissolved the assembly as he wanted the people to decide the political future of the country.
The Foreign Minister recalled that the National Security Committee had acknowledged the threat letter as a serious and sensitive matter, and termed it interference in the internal matters of Pakistan. He said demarches were also issued in the light of the statement of National Security Committee.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif alluded to the judgment of Supreme Court in a Suo Moto case, stressing that the proceedings of the House be taken forward as per the judgment.
Speaker Asad Qaiser assured to implement the judgment of the apex court in letter and spirit.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said blatant attempts are being made for regime change in Pakistan and history will expose the elements behind it.
He said Pakistan being a sovereign state will not accept dictation from any other country.
He said the threat letter is authentic which was forwarded by a seasoned diplomat. He proposed an in-camera session of the parliament on the matter. He said the ambassador in Washington can be asked to give a briefing to the house to ascertain whether or not the document is authentic.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan desires to improve relations with all the countries including the United States, China, Russia and the European Union to enhance its diplomatic space. He said we do not want to be hostile to any country.
PML-N leader Khawaja Muhammad Saad Rafique also demanded early voting on the no confidence motion. He said there is a clear direction of the Supreme Court on it.
Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umer regretted horse trading in the house. He said this process must be stopped to strengthen democratic setup.
Speaking on the floor, PPP Co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari said voting should be conducted on the no confidence motion without wastage of time. He said we are ready to sit with the political forces for the betterment of the country.
Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said about 5.5 million jobs have been created, due to prudent policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, during the last three years.
Speaking in the National Assembly on a point of order, he said, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz during five years government had created about 5.7 jobs.
Sharing the achievements of his government on economic front, he said, that Pakistan achieved highest exports. He said the country had achieved over 5 percent growth rate during last two years, which was the highest in the last 15 years.
Criticizing the opposition parties for becoming part of a conspiracy being hitched by foreign powers against the elected government of PTI, he said people of Pakistan would never support the elements working against the interest of the country.
He said the government had decided to share contents of the threatening letter with the members of the Parliament, keeping in view the supremacy of the Parliament.
He regretted that leadership of the opposition had refused to attend the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security convened by the Speaker National Assembly. The minister once again invited the opposition parties for an in-camera briefing on the “Threat Letter” to the parliament.