Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has announced that as per the Supreme Court’s order, there will be instability, disorder and chaos if elections are held for the two provincial assemblies.
Addressing the joint session on Wednesday evening, he added that the announced date of April 30 is also beyond the constitutional limit of 90 days.
The minister said that if elections to all assemblies are held simultaneously, it will ensure a level playing field for all.
At the beginning of his address, the minister said that the government needs parliamentary advice on three issues, which should be discussed and debated.
“The country was facing political, administrative and judicial crises nurtured by one man and his violent mob.”
In such a situation, he said, Parliament should propose the future of elections to the two provincial assemblies. He clarified that the three crises facing the country were created by one party and its leader every day for 10 years.
He wants chaos, anarchy, crisis in the country. Not a single week has passed peacefully since 2014-18. Every step is taken to create chaos and anarchy. In 2018, the then establishment rigged the elections in favor of Imran Khan and imposed his party on the country.
The minister said that then Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had offered to discuss the Charter of Economy to stabilize the country, while PPP Chairman. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also offered support.
He called on the nation to reject such a tyrant, who took every step to ensure the country’s bankruptcy.
After that, Rana Sanaullah recalled the events that took place from March 14 to 18 in Lahore’s Zaman Park. He claimed that unarmed policemen were attacked by a violent PTI mob, injuring 68 policemen.
He further informed that 316 persons were arrested and they will be produced in the Anti-Terrorism Court and action will be taken as per law. He added that police vans, motorcycles and vehicles of citizens were burnt, and cases were registered for the same.
وفاقی وزیر داخلہ رانا ثناءاللہ قومی اسمبلی میں اظہار خیال کر رہے ہیں https://t.co/nF0BtlIxnw
— PMLN (@pmln_org) March 22, 2023
The minister told the House that unarmed police personnel were ineffective against such “armed groups, terrorists, anarchists”. He then sought powers from the law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute such miscreants.
The joint session of the Parliament under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf is going on in which important decisions will be taken.
The eight-point agenda was to be considered in the meeting. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also expected to attend the meeting.
A resolution will be presented to condemn the malicious campaign against the state institutions and their associated personalities as well as to respect the institutions.
The agenda also includes taking the issue of PTI’s negative politics to Parliament.
The country’s economic situation, Indian-administered Kashmir, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, foreign policy, climate change and growing population are part of the agenda.
The decision to convene a joint session of Parliament was taken at a meeting of the coalition parties following riots and attacks on the police force by PTI workers outside the judicial complex in Islamabad.
During the session, the Speaker stopped the legislators from raising banners or placards in the House amid loud slogans against former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.
عدل و انصاف کا قتل عام کرنے والے بابا زحمتے کے خلاف پاکستان کی پارلیمنٹ سراپا احتجاج pic.twitter.com/6uqv3VCNdX
— PMLN (@pmln_org) March 22, 2023
Addressing the House, Khalid Magsi expressed regret over the alleged campaign against institutions in London and abroad. He lamented that the writ of the state was being challenged.
Magsi said that difficult and tough decisions have to be taken for the defense and security of the country.
Later the meeting was adjourned till March 27.
Federal Cabinet meeting
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet is going on in which important discussions are expected regarding the elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
The Federal Cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is going on in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The meeting will consider important legislation along with the decisions taken during the ongoing joint session of Parliament.
The cabinet will also review the political and economic situation of the country.
