ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, during his address on the fourth consecutive day of joint session of parliament expressed his sorrow over Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s statement Thursday night, and presented an apology to Khursheed Shah and Aitzaz Ahsan.
The joint session of the Parliament continued for the fourth consecutive day on Friday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in attendance.
During his speech, PM Nawaz Shairf expressed sorrow over the Chaudhry Nisar’s statements regarding Aitzaz Ahsan and urged leaders to stand united for the rule of law, democracy and constitution.
The prime minister said he felt pride that parliament, adding that for the sake of the constitution the country’s leaders should be united despite reservations.
Prime Minister Sharif said the opposition had suggested that he not resign but what mattered to him iis the current scenario in parliament where every political party is united in its stand for democracy. He said he does not care for his power as prime minister but for unity and democracy.
PM Nawaz said it’s not an easy task to rule Pakistan, it is full of problems. He said that the demands and goals of the protesters are in front of you. “Do you really think they are the real issues of Pakistan?” he questioned. “We are constantly having dialogue with them but are they the real issues of Pakistan?”
He, then, expressed remorse over the cancelled visits of Chinese president and other international leaders. He said the progress of the country has suffered due to the protests and sit-ins as they were visiting the country for several billion dollar investments.
The Prime Minister said that he had apologized to Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah and senior PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan last night as soon as he came to know about Nisar’s statement. He expressed remorse and requested them to ignore the allegations and move forward.
He said they can always sit and talk over the issues and apologized again with the opposition leaders on the floor of the House.
He praised the PPP and said it stood by the government in the current issues and assured of the same support in case PPP had been the ruler.
The PM then mentioned about the resolution they had passed when Dr Tahirul Qadri had protested earlier in Islamabad. He said he played his role at that time of crisis for the sake of democracy and not to be paid for it or any other gains. “I invited every leader in Lahore where we all had passed the resolution unanimously. Everyone was present there,” he said.
PM Nawaz said that now there is a larger cause for which the joint parliament is here. He requested all the members of the political parties to move forward towards the bigger goal and requested not to extend the matter beyond.