Geo Pakistan

National Assembly passes pro-democracy resolution

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly on Monday passed with majority the pro-democracy resolution originally moved by Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali, Geo News reported.

Earlier, amendments proposed by Pakistan Muslim League-N were approved and incorporated into the resolution which was later read out by the Federal Minister Naveed Qamar.

One of the amendments said the final authority to rule lies with Allah Almighty.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani congratulated the Parliamentarians on passage of the resolution while Pakistan Muslim League-N and PPP (Sherpao) MNA's staged a walkout.

He said he would appear before the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said: "After becoming the Prime Minister my first words were: Release the judges".

He said the government wanted no confrontation with any institution including the judiciary and that no one should degrade the mandate of the elected government.

"We need no certificate to prove our patriotism," he said, citing sacrifices rendered by the leaders of Pakistan People's Party for the cause of democracy in the country.

He said he did not need to take vote of confidence and 'if someone doesn't like our face, they should move a no-confidence motion'.

Earlier, Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said although his party had decided not to support any resolution, it changed its stance for the sake of national interest and put forth the amendments after engaging in talks with the government.

He said the country's democracy was not facing any internal or external threat. However, he added that no hope could be pinned to People's Party for betterment in (country's) situation.