Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the National Assembly (MNAs) are being forced to resign from the Lower House by their party chairman, Imran Khan.
Talking to reporters alongside Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leaders, Ayaz Sadiq claimed the PTI members were being pressurised into signing ‘cyclostyle’ documents, which included their names and constituency, despite the rule that the resignations of lawmakers should be handwritten.
He said that resignations were submitted under a proper procedure but the PTI members purposely avoided the rules as they are giving a fake impression of mass resignations.
Earlier, the day when the no-confidence motion succeeded, there were speculations about mass resignations from the PTI, as Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had said that he had advised Imran Khan to go for it.
“In line with the law, every member should appear in person and submit their resignation to the speaker […] there are some conditions and questions that are noted before the acceptance of the resignation,” the PML-N lawmaker said.
Regarding the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), he said the institution had turned a blind eye to the corruption of the PTI government, and hinted at the dissolution of the institution and a subsequent inquiry against NAB officials with lavish lifestyles.
He further said that he had beaten PTI chairman Imran Khan twice in elections and retained his seat. He was also the one who conducted the session for the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman reaffirmed the claims of Ayaz Sadiq and said the deputy speaker was forcing the National Assembly Secretariat regarding the issue of the resignations.
She alleged that the deputy speaker was violating the laws, as Qasim Suri identified the members based on their signatures, but every member should be present in person for submitting their resignations as per rules.
She claimed that several PTI lawmakers were contacting the opposition parties and showing concerns over the forced resignations.
She urged the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) to take notice of the party’s action.
