ISLAMABAD: Qasim Suri, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, resigned on Saturday, hours before a NA session set for today, claiming that he could no longer be “indifferent” to the “foreign intervention” that toppled ex-prime minister Imran Khan.
The deputy speaker resigned from the National Assembly speaker’s office, claiming that the DG ISPR’s press conference on April 14 had proven to him that there had been “blatant foreign interference/involvement in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.”
Suri went on to say that his acts represent his party’s vision and “commitment to democracy, never compromising on Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity…and preserving our country’s interest and independence.”
Suri said that as acting speaker, he had access to the classified letter, which contained evidence of foreign meddling. The state’s response to the petition, however, was “shocking and absolutely unacceptable for any sovereign nation with self-respect, dignity, and pride,” according to the letter.
Imran Khan was targeted, according to the former deputy speaker, because of his anti-Islamophobia stance and independent foreign policy, in which he “blatantly refused Pakistan to provide military bases” for operations against Afghanistan.
Suri regretted that there had been a “failure to stand up to foreign intrusion and hostility,” and that continuing in his duties was “unconscionable.”
“Our great country and its people deserve better,” he wrote, adding that no “rational” government, institution, or patriot should “knowingly and willfully inflict the catastrophic consequences of such a disastrous decision,” risking the country’s independence, interests, and sovereignty being jeopardised.
The deputy speaker requested the Supreme Court to take note of the situation and establish a judicial committee to investigate the plot, calling it a “major failure of politics” that has left millions of people homeless.
“Local Mir Jafars have surrendered their souls and conscience for monetary profits and worldly rewards,” he stated.
According to Qasim Suri’s resignation, “In light of this, I feel compelled to present my resignation with the hopeful expectation that it will be accepted. And that the Honorable Supreme Court will expose this plot, since it is now a war for Pakistan’s sovereignty and true democracy versus a US-backed regime change.”
The deputy speaker’s resignation comes after Raja Pervez Ashraf, a senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislator, was chosen Speaker of the National Assembly without opposition on Friday, after no candidate for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf filed nominations (PTI).
The resignation of previous speaker Asad Qaiser of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) precipitated the election for speaker. Qaiser, who was already facing a vote of no confidence, announced his resignation on the House floor shortly before midnight on April 9.
