Pakistan: PML-N prez dubs EVMs 'evil and vicious machines' at joint session of parliament

Speaking at the joint session of parliament, Sharif said it is "illegal" for the government and its allies trying to bulldoze key bills.

Shehbaz, who had earlier today written a letter to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser airing his grievances about the haste in passing the bills without a consensus, said that initially the joint session was delayed after the government said it would consult with the opposition on the issue, Dawn reported.

During the session, he told the Speaker, "I have received your letter. We have carefully considered your letter and given you the full answer. I commend the opposition members for not coming under government pressure."

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government announced his decision to convene a joint sitting of the parliament as it continues to effort to pull the support of its allies PML-Q and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) for bills on electronic voting machines (EVMs), NAB and other issues that will be tabled.

According to a report by Geo TV, at least eight to 10 bills, including the one relating to electronic voting machines and the right to vote for overseas Pakistanis, will be presented during the joint session of the Parliament.

On Monday, Pakistan's ruling coalition led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has landed in a tough spot as an important allied party of the party has expressed concerns over the rising inflation.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) PML-Q senior leader and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said he is finding it hard to support the PTI government as an ally.

Geo TV quoted him as saying the PTI government seemed to fail to mitigate the public sufferings and regretted that it was rubbing salt on the wounds of the public by presenting non-issues as serious issues.

He further said the situation will continue to worsen if immediate relief is not provided to people.

He urged the authorities to show seriousness in resolving the issues.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the PML-Q parliamentary party was held under the chairmanship of Elahi.

All members said that the common man is suffering, and public representatives were finding it difficult to face the people in their constituencies, Geo TV reported.

They also said it is difficult to continue support in the coalition government.