Those who mock assembly keep on coming back to it: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will be given a welcome that matches its arrival in the assembly, in an apparent reference to the latter’s decision to end Parliament’s boycott.

The defence minister was speaking to Geo News outside Parliament House, where he passed the above-mentioned remarks in response to the reporter's question. The reporter had asked him how he would welcome the PTI leaders.

Khawaja Asif said that Parliament is the most supreme institution.

“They (PTI) called it a fake assembly but keep on coming back to it,” said Asif.

The defence minister said that the institutions should be strengthened by combined effort and unity.

“They (PTI) called Parliament an assembly of bandits and thieves,” he said, adding that the party’s leaders lack ‘self-respect’.

Earlier today, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah welcomed the PTI’s decision to end its boycott of Parliament.

On December 13, Imran Khan announced the PTI would end its boycott of Parliament citing a few reasons to participate in National Assembly proceedings.

"We are going to go to the Parliament for some special reason," PTI Chairman Imran Khan said, while speaking to journalists in Islamabad. "The purpose of ending our boycott is to table two motions - one privilege and another adjournment motion - against the prime minister."