ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that resignations of PTI members of National Assembly cannot be accepted unless these are submitted individually and hand-written by the member himself.

He was talking to newsmen after a meeting with PTI delegation led by former Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser here at Parliament House, on Thursday. Raja Pervez Ashraf said under the Assembly rules it is incumbent upon the individual MNA to satisfy the Speaker that the resignation is hand-written and he has submitted it with his own consent and not due to any coercion.

He said being custodian of the House, accepting resignation is very critical as every member represents mandate of hundreds of thousands of people. The Speaker said he has urged the PTI Members of Assembly to come in the House for raising their concerns effectively. He said doors of consultation and communication should never be closed in politics and politicians should sort out issues through mutual collaboration and coordination.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said unity and reconciliation is need of the hour and individual egos and interests can in no way be above the state. The PTI delegation that met the Speaker included Qasim Khan Suri, Malik Amir Dogar, Amjad Khan Niazi, Faheem Khan, Dr Shabbir Hasan Lal Milli, Attaullah and Tahir Iqbal.