Islamabad: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday thanked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) for withdrawing their de-seating motions against lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said that a telephonic conversation between Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and MQM chief Altaf Hussain was a positive development and had great significance. He also said that the environment of distrust between law enforcement agencies and the MQM should end.
However, the minister was of the view that political parties should disown militant wings, if there were any. He said that the politics of reconciliation would strengthen the parliament and make Pakistan move forward on road to progress, prosperity and development. Saad said that the role played by the speaker was remarkable.
Saad said that he and Ayaz Sadiq had jointly struggled against the dictatorship and added that the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) always respected Imran Khan and MNAs of PTI. He said that the attitude of the MQM was positive during a meeting held to discuss the issue of de-seating.
During the meeting, Saad said that he had no answer to a question of the MQM that in future Imran Khan would not insult the political leadership and elected representatives. He said that the JUI-F leader during a speech in the assembly had showed grace and flexibility. But, he said that the PTI alleged that the PML-N was using pressure tactics.
He complained that even that Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was present at the meeting where the PML-N had contested the case of PTI, but outside the parliament he (Sheikh Rashid) claimed that the PML-N was pressurising the Tehreek-e-Insaf.
