imageISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Thursday said he, being custodian of the House, believed in equality with all members of the Parliament.

Giving remarks after the start of NA session, he said an important issue was under discussion for the last several days regarding the motions of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to de-seat the lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) due to their long absence from the National Assembly.

"To me, respect of this House is associated with the respect of each member," he said and added that being custodian of the House it was his duty to protect them (members), not to deprive anyone of his seat.

In the current situation, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said he had to contact other political leaders outside the Parliament to muster support for ensuring conducive environment in the House to strengthen parliamentary norms and democracy in the country.

Accordingly, he said he phoned MQM leader Altaf Hussain and expressed concern and public anger over his recent statements, conveying that all Pakistanis were united and ready to defend the motherland at every cost.

Sadiq said he asked Altaf Hussain that the Armed Forces, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies were taking action against killers and terrorists across the country including Karachi.

In this situation, he said, any attack on the role of Armed Forces was tantamount to attack on the country.

On this, the Speaker said Altaf Hussain asked him to convey, on behalf of the MQM Quaid, that the Jawans of Pakistan Army were their sons too, and the party has respect and affection for them.

Sadiq said it was his pleasure to inform the House that the MQM and JUI-F have agreed to withdraw their motions after the requests of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and he himself.

He appreciated political acumen of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and asked the members to respect each other and avoid passing insulting remarks.

The Speaker also lauded the efforts of Parliamentary Parties especially main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for amicably resolving the issue of JUI-F and MQM motions.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2015

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