PESHAWAR: Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has lambasted ruling coalition for trying to surreptitiously amend Constitution, contending that all legislations and constitutional amendments should be debated in Parliament.

"Constitution should not be amended in darkness of night," Abbasi said while talking to journalists at Peshawar Press Club with reference to proposed constitutional amendment package that government is desperate to implement. "There should be debate on amendment in Parliament.

In current situation, all political parties should come together for national dialogue. Country cannot afford another debacle," Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi added.Abbasi said if incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan has committed crime under Pakistan Army Act, 1952 then he should be put on trial.

He noted that more than year had elapsed since May 9, 2023 rioting incidents and yet trial of Imran, whose PTI is blamed for incidents, has not started.

"No clear evidence has been presented against him [Imran] so far," he added.Talking with reference to merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas with K-P province in 2018, Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said merger was completed, but promises made to tribal people have not been fulfilled in any way.

In response to question, he said PTI's Ali Amin Gandapur is now Chief Minister of K-P and he should think and act as province's chief executive.."Government should have allowed party (PTI) to hold rallies and protests. Protests and rallies are fundamental right of any political party," he said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 30 2024

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