ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to boycott the joint session of parliament next week which will be addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The PTI is of the view that it could not attend the parliament because of the ‘controversial’ prime minister. The decision was made by the party leadership at a meeting held at the residence of chairman Imran Khan in Banigala on Saturday.
Erdogan is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan for a two-day official visit next week. The government would convene a special joint sitting of parliament on Nov 17 so the Turkish president can address lawmakers.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that the Turkish President will address the Joint Session of Parliament. He expressed hope that all political parties will take part in the parliament’s joint session.
During last month’s joint session of parliament, PTI chairman Imran Khan had said the joint session will result in nothing substantial except for “endorsing Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister who has lost all moral authority”.
“We will continue our National Assembly boycott till either Nawaz Sharif resigns or presents himself for accountability according to the Terms of References (TORs) decided by the opposition,” he said during a presser.
Erdogan would be the ninth world leader to address the parliament of Pakistan. He would become the first foreign dignitary to address Pakistan’s parliament thrice. He is also expected to meet high-level dignitaries during his visit.
