ISLAMABAD: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday withdrew their motions for the de-seating of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNAs following overnight developments managed by the government. The movers withdrew their motions in the absence of PTI members who stayed out of the National Assembly till the resolution of the de-seating issue.The house took up the issue after suspending the routine agenda of the day, including calling attention notices and the Question-Hour. Soon after suspending the agenda, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said despite knowing that he would be criticised for speaking to Altaf Hussain, he contacted him keeping in view the requirements of his public office.Sadiq said he spoke to Altaf Hussain on Wednesday night about his recent contentious speeches and told him that his criticism had hurt the Pakistan Army, the Rangers and police. He said Altaf Hussain asked him to convey his message to parliamentarians that officials of the Rangers and Pakistan Army were his own brothers and children.“This is my own army, my own Rangers and my own police; I don’t hurt them,” Ayaz Sadiq quoted the MQM leader as saying. Sadiq said when he asked Altaf Hussain to express his sentiments openly, he asked him to present his views in the session.The speaker acknowledged the political wisdom of Fazlur Rehman who decided to withdraw his party’s motion in the larger interests of the country and democracy. Speaking on the floor of the house following the withdrawal of motions, Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah appreciated the JUI-F and MQM for their gesture of goodwill and said it was a victory of democracy and parliament. Khursheed also lauded the role of the speaker in handling the issue saying that the gesture shown by all the parties had also protected the votes given to the PTI members. “There is no victory or defeat for anyone, rather it is the victory of democracy and parliament,” he said. “On the behalf of the opposition, I want to thank the leaders of both the parties for withdrawing their respective motions on the request of the government and opposition. We believe that regardless of who made mistakes, those voters whose representatives are not here should not be punished,” he said, referring to the PTI MNAs who had decided to stay away from parliament till the resolution of the issue. Fazlur Rehman said they had always adopted the path of negotiations to resolve issues. He said they withdrew their motion on the appeal of the prime minister and opposition leader.He said despite withdrawing the motion, there was no change in their stance that the PTI members had tendered their resignations. “We have the same stance on the resignations of PTI members,” he said. Fazl said he had also talked to the PPP co-chairman and former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday night. “Zardari termed the decision correct while Altaf Hussain also showed a big heart by agreeing to us,” he said. Dr Farooq Sattar said withdrawal of the motions after the passage of the resolution will stabilise democracy in the country. He said Altaf’s decision to withdraw the motion was taken in the larger national interests and it would also establish the supremacy of parliament. The MQM member pointed out that his party’s motion was not meant to de-seat the PTI members, rather they wanted to highlight some constitutional legal aspects.He said the government should pay attention to the alleged human rights violations in Karachi and there should be a check and balance in this connection. Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique thanked the JUI-F, MQM, Leader of Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and the parliamentary leadership for considering the request of the prime minister for the withdrawal of motions. He urged the MQM to disown its militant elements. He said they would welcome the PTI members in the House for playing their due role as elected representatives.“There should also be an end to the tension between the MQM and law enforcement agencies in Karachi,” he said. Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad insisted that developments had proved that Imran Khan was the real opposition in the country. He said JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman had strengthened the hands of the government.Parliamentary leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sahibzada Tariqullah congratulated the prime minister and the speaker for resolving the issue. Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan, Ghazi Gulab Jamal, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Ijazul Haq also lauded the speaker for ending the issue in a good manner.
