Staff Report
LAHORE: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that he will not accept the resignation of any PTI MNA until it is ensured that they have submitted their resignations without any pressure.
It should be remembered that the PTI members of the National Assembly had announced their collective resignation from the Parliament in April. While talking to the media in Lahore, he said, “The law says that if a member says in my presence that he wants to resign. But I have information that he is under pressure. So, I should not accept his resignation”, he added.
Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf alleged that despite the announcement of mass resignations, the PTI legislators are occupying and using the parliament lodges and enjoying the perks they get as MNA. He said PTI MNAs also send messages to me not to accept their resignations. In this situation, I will not de-seat any member until I am satisfied that he resigned without any pressure.
The Speaker National Assembly also made it clear that he accepted the resignations of the legislators who issued statements on the media and social media that they vacated their seats voluntarily. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that he expects PTI lawmakers to return to Parliament, represent their constituencies and participate in the proceedings of the House. He asserted that his demand for fair and transparent elections can only be fulfilled if we make better laws, take better measures and make a strategy together.
Speaker National Assembly on backchannel talks
When asked about the backdoor contacts between the government and the opposition, he said that all political leaders and political parties should resolve issues and problems by consensus. During his talk, he highlighted the importance of Parliament and emphasized the need to use it to resolve problems. The Speaker National Assembly also stressed the importance of completing the term of the assemblies and said that it will “bring maturity in politics and strengthen the system.”
