ISLAMABAD, JAN 18 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said that the opposition leaders who had openly cursed the parliament at a rally in Lahore should be summoned to appear before the National Assembly to explain their remarks.

On Wednesday, opposition parties, under the leadership of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek, held a gathering on Lahore’s Mall Road, kick-starting their campaign for the ouster of the PML-N government.

During the rally, Sheikh Rashid repeatedly cursed the parliament and announced his resignation from his National Assembly seat, prompting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to consider quitting the assemblies on the grounds that parliament had lost its utility in protecting people’s rights. Khan, voicing his support for Rashid, had also “cursed” the parliament.

Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, Asif said that the opposition leaders should be called into the National Assembly and if they fail to appear, they should be arrested.

“We will not permit this [language],” Asif said. “The elections are coming up, everyone has the right to campaign and gather support from voters — but no one has the right to curse.”

“This house has never seen such shameful conduct,” Asif added.