PTI presented '21-cannon salute' to President Zardari today: Barrister Gohar

Referring to their strong protest and ruckus in the joint session of parliament, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that they presented a “21-cannon salute” to President Asif Ali Zardari today.

The maiden joint sitting of parliament after the February 8 general elections saw rumpus as PTI lawmakers continued sloganeering unabated against the government and for the release of “prisoner number 804”.

During his interaction with journalists outside the Parliament House, Gohar said: "We do not recognise this president [Zardari]. [Not only] this president but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the entire cabinet are also illegal.”

He said: “At today’s session, we presented a 21-cannon salute to [President] Zardari.”

The PTI leader further said that they “compelled” President Zardari to leave his speech in the middle.

Glass wall has been installed at the meeting place of the PTI founder in the jail, he said, adding that today’s protest was their democratic right.

“We will fulfil our responsibility within the ambit of the Constitution and the law,” he added.

For his part, PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan declared the head of the state “illegal”, despite President Zardari extended an “olive branch” to the opposition benches in his maiden parliamentary address. 

His remarks came after President Zardari stressing the need for meaningful dialogues and called for political reconciliation to do away with the polarisation and overcome the challenges pervading the crisis-hit country.

Raising legal questions, the PTI leader, while referring the Article 41 of the Constitution, said the president represents the federation, adding that Zardari did not tender his resignation as the PPP co-chairman so far.

“Law is being violated in this House,” the PTI leader said that he tired to raise a point being a leader of the opposition but he was denied the floor.

“As per the law, the floor is given to the opposition leader whenever he asks,” he added.