Nobody can be allowed to sabotage SCO, CPEC: PMLN MPs

LAHORE: Ruling party MPAs in Punjab Assembly supported action against elements planning to damage CPEC and reach Islamabad to create disturbance during the SCO commencing today (Tuesday).

During the heated PA session chaired by Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan a day before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit starting from Oct 15 (today) in the federal capital, the ruling party MPAs supported full action against those who were on a mission of sabotaging the summit or damaging Pakistan's interest.

Sami Ullah Khan, the PMLN MPA from Lahore while voicing serious concern over the video message of PTI senior leader and former member of Imran Khan's cabinet Hammad Azhar stated if the intent to sabotage SCO was shown, the government was left with no option but to stop the miscreants from performing any subversive act.

Sami Ullah Khan, who hails from Lahore and served as MPA for multiple terms now went on to say that Hammad Azhar had asked the PTI workers to reach Islamabad on October 15, the day when the summit was starting. He said the law enforcement agencies were left with only one option that unfortunately could also affect politicians with positive intent.

‘Those intending to sabotage peace will not be spared’ said the Provincial Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman while speaking on the floor of Punjab Assembly. ‘Show the courage and come out, we will not let PTI supporters exit Punjab’ said Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman.

He said the elements who wanted to hinder Pakistan's way to progress and prosperity would be dealt with iron hands. Mujtaba went on to say if these elements were sincere to Pakistan, they should withdraw the October 15 protest call.

He said the heads of world nations were coming to Pakistan after 27 years, inflation was coming down, the economic situation was improving, adding PMLN deserved the credit of all this. Mujtaba went on to say that law would take its course if PTI launched any attack against the state of Pakistan.

The minister said that in the tenure of Imran Khan, the CPEC project faced a delay, adding IK pushed the country towards bankruptcy but Shehbaz Sharif steered Pakistan out of crisis. He criticised PTI leadership for their will to block CPEC and Pakistan's way to progress which, he added was not possible while Shehbaz Sharif was in power. He said PMLN and allies under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif would take Pakistan on the track of progress.

Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, while grilling PTI leadership further, said that on the insistence of their foreign masters, they did not attend the All Parties Conference on Palestine. Only with the help of Gen Faiz Hameed and a few judges, PTI was able to win a few seats and in the next polls, the Goldsmith project failed again. Mujtaba also slammed PTI leaders like Arif Ali, Ali Amin Gandapur for provoking people.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad on the occasion remarked how could a member’s arrest be averted if he was involved in subversive acts. Under Article 17, every citizen has the right to protest but if it is not peaceful, trouble could be invited.

The Speaker stated that protest is the Constitutional right but there must be some limits, adding if these elements were miscreants, they should be stopped. Opposition MPA Ejaz Shafi while speaking on the occasion stated that this present assembly was a product of Form 47 whereas Prisoner number 804 enjoyed real mandate. He said rather than levelling allegations, the government should tell the name of the political workers who were against the state of Pakistan. He questioned as to why the PTI workers were not allowed to reach Islamabad. He said the PTI welcomed the Shanghai summit but its protest call was totally peaceful and constitutional. He also stated that PMLN would be wiped out in the next elections.