Lahore: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf defended his decision to accept resignations of PTI lawmakers, saying he only did so after they were able to “Satisfy him” by proving that it was “Voluntary decision and not under pressure”.

In an apparent bid to scuttle PTI’s purported plan to bring confidence motion against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ashraf had accepted  resignations of 34 PTI lawmakers alongside Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed, resulting in their de-notification by Election Commission of Pakistan.

Ashraf said he became doubtful after hearing such statements and did not accept resignations till he was completely satisfied. “Before I accept any resignation, I make sure that person resigning made decision according to their own will and conscience.”

ECP communiqué regarding de-notification of members, mostly top brass of PTI and former members of Imran Khan’s Cabinet, came as surprise for PTI as well as political experts as only two weeks back, Speaker had refused to accept resignations. Meanwhile, PTI leader and former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser had termed Ashraf’s move to be “Grave injustice” to Speaker’s office.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 20 2023

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