Pandemonium in NA: Gilani meets Shehbaz to express solidarity

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday visited opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif at his chamber to express the solidarity with him over whatever happens in the National Assembly during his budget speech.

“I went to meet Shahbaz Sharif to express solidarity with opposition leader of the lower house and what happens in the session it should not have happened,” he said while talking to the newsmen after meeting with Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday evening at the Parliament House.

Gilani said the prime minister has to play his due role for improving the atmosphere in the House. “In my view, the role of the prime minister is fatherly figure as he is prime minister of Pakistan so he should play a role and his role is important and he should carry everybody with him,” he said. He said the government could not be formed or dissolved or remove with criticism of anyone.

Gilani said, “We are supporting the democracy for the rule of law, supremacy of the Constitution and economic rights of the people, but the responsibility lies to the government so it should take initiative.”

The opposition leader in the Senate said the role of the Speaker is also important as a custodian of the House so he should carry the whole House and the government should cooperate. Asked whether the PPP to play its role to defuse tension, Gilani replied that whatever happens in the House where abuses are also echoed and the atmosphere was too tense right now and he could not say anything on it.

In a reply to another question regarding the PPP stance on no-confidence motion against the deputy speaker National Assembly, he said the decision in this regard will be taken by the leadership of the party. “I did not know yet on this issue as leadership may hold consultation on it,” he said. He urged the government to take the initiative to improve the atmosphere in the National Assembly. “It was not a big issue that could not be settled,” he said.