ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a major ally of the ruling alliance, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the recent statement made by opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, labeling it an assault on democratic institutions.
Addressing the National Assembly, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged PTI to investigate whether the controversial remarks were indeed made by its founder or another party member.
The PPP leader accused the PTI founder of targeting the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief of the Army Staff, warning that the founder would face repercussions for his provocative statements.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also extended congratulations to Makhdom Tahir Rasheeduddin, the newly elected Member of the National Assembly from Rahim Yar Khan. He expressed gratitude to the constituents of Rahim Yar Khan and the coalition parties for supporting Rasheeduddin and for rejecting what he described as a politics of conspiracy and abuse.
Earlier, Makhdom Tahir Rasheeduddin was sworn in as a member of the National Assembly, with Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah administering the oath.
Minister for Energy Musadik Malik announced that the government plans to privatize loss-making State-Owned Enterprises, including the Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation (PMDC), on a gradual basis. In response to concerns raised by Asad Qaisar and others about the PMDC’s privatization, Malik clarified that none of its 2,000 employees are involved in mining activities and emphasized that privatization decisions for provincial companies are under provincial jurisdiction.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif criticized PTI, stating that the party’s true nature was exposed within 48 hours and suggested the dissolution of the Special Committee formed by the Speaker of the National Assembly to restore Parliament’s prestige. He urged PTI to address the controversy surrounding the PTI founder’s tweet.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam called on the opposition to avoid attacking the armed forces and their leadership. Meanwhile, PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf rallied behind the Chief Justice and Chief of Army Staff, emphasizing that 250 million Pakistanis stand united against attempts to undermine key institutions.
Other speakers included Gohar Ali Khan, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Awais Haider Jakhar, Syed Ahad Ali Shah, Shazia Mari, and Hanif Abbasi. The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.
