Islamabad – Former Speaker of the National Assembly and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Asad Qaiser, revealed that he is being pressured to resign. Speaking during a National Assembly session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Qaiser claimed he was informed that his resignation had already been coordinated with the Speaker and that he should comply to have it accepted.
“Under what law are members of the Assembly being harassed?” Qaiser questioned. He accused the establishment, government, and administration of threatening Assembly members, adding that any forced resignations would severely impact the functioning of the parliamentary system.
He further lamented that a special committee, formed to address key issues, has yet to present any tangible outcomes, while raids are being conducted on the homes of PTI members in Punjab.
Responding to Qaiser’s allegations, Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said that if any member is being harassed, they should bring a “breach of privilege motion” to address the issue. He accused PTI of behaving like an authoritarian regime during its time in power, while also acknowledging Asad Qaiser as “a good man” who may have been misled.
PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi, speaking on a point of order, called Qaiser’s recent statements “alarming” and expressed concerns over the country’s fragile state. Abbasi criticized PTI leadership, claiming that certain PTI members are supporting elements that exploit ethnic and provincial divisions.
Abbasi further rebuked PTI leaders, saying, “Never before have individuals abandoned their responsibilities and their people.” He accused PTI of spreading false rumors, such as claims about their workers being killed. Abbasi emphasized that cases against the PTI leadership, particularly its founder, must be brought to a logical conclusion to prevent further destabilization of the country.
The heated exchanges in the Assembly reflect deepening political polarization amid ongoing tensions between PTI and the ruling coalition.
