PPP’s Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Saturday was elected unopposed as the 22nd speaker of the National Assembly.
PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq, who was initially chairing the session, administered the oath on Ashraf. The PPP lawmaker was the lone contender for the speaker’s position as no other candidate had submitted nomination papers against him.
The office of the speaker had fallen vacant after Asad Qaiser tendered his resignation in line with the PTI’s decision minutes before the voting on the no-confidence resolution against then-prime minister Imran Khan.
Sitting in the speaker’s chair, Ashraf gave a brief speech where he thanked his party leaders for deeming him worthy of the position. He also thanked the prime minister and the members of the assembly.
He said that a “new tradition” had been initiated in parliamentary history, adding that the speaker was the custodian of the house. He went on to say that for the past three years, the house had been “incomplete” as the former opposition went unheard.
“I consider it my duty to not to let the voice of the opposition get suppressed,” he said, adding that it should be heard and respected.
“There is a saying in English that the majority has its way, but the opposition must have its say. We have to always keep this in view,” he said, adding that “consultation among institutions is the spirit of the Constitution.”
Speaker Ashraf stated that all parliamentary and standing committees needed to be activated and strengthened. “Parliamentary democracy is the best way to resolve issues between countries.”
He said that there were many lawmakers though whom the honour of Pakistan and its democratic institutions could be increased. “This can be achieved by our participation in parliamentary friendship groups and international parliamentary institutions.”
He went on to say that parliament was incomplete without an active press and sought the cooperation of the Parliamentary Reporters Association as well as the guidance of senior journalists.
Ashraf said that as the NA speaker, he would also try to maintain parliament’s ties with bar councils, human rights and labour organisations as well as students unions.
“The participation of women is the secret behind the success of this house. I expect them to participate fully in proceedings,” he said, vowing to defend women’s rights.
The NA Secretariat had issued a four-point agenda for today’s sitting that included voting on the no-confidence resolution against Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, the election of the speaker and his oath-taking. However, Suri tendered his resignation less than an hour before the session was scheduled to begin.
Sadiq began the session by announcing that Suri had tendered his resignation, which was met by loud applause from the lawmakers present. He said that Suri’s resignation had been verified by the NA secretariat, which would later issue the schedule for the election of the deputy speaker.
“Since the deputy speaker has resigned from office there is no need to take up agenda item two and three,” he said, giving the floor to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Shehbaz gives reasons for loadshedding
PM Shehbaz began his speech by stating that loadshedding was currently underway in parts of the country. “During the past three days, my team and I held meetings with the ministries of petroleum and finance. The current situation is that the country has the capacity to generate 35,000 MW of electricity.”
This capacity is enough to meet the needs of the country, he said. However, he regretted that several new power plants were not functioning due to a gas and oil shortage, holding the previous government responsible for “gross mismanagement and incompetence”.
He said that when officials were asked why gas was not bought when it was available for $3-4 in the spot market, he was told that they did not have any support and were afraid. “Today gas prices are $30-35 per unit”.
Suri resigns as deputy speaker
Qasim Suri resigned as deputy speaker of the National Assembly on Saturday, less than an hour before a session of the house where voting on a no-trust motion against him was to take place.
Sharing a copy of his resignation on Twitter, Suri said his move signified his association with the vision of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and democracy.
“We will never compromise on Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity. We will fight for the country’s interests and independence. We will go to any length to protect Pakistan,” he
قومی اسمبلی سے استعفیٰ میری پارٹی کے وژن، اس کی شاندار وراثت اور جمہوریت کے ساتھ اس کی وابستگی کی علامت ہے، پاکستان کی خودمختاری اور سالمیت پر کبھی سمجھوتہ نہیں کریں گے ملکی مفادات اور آزادی کے لیے لڑیں گے اور 🇵🇰 کے تحفظ کے لیے کسی بھی حد تک جائیں گے۔ #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/fIskL5pVLg
— Qasim Khan Suri (@QasimKhanSuri) April 16, 2022
PTI leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry lauded Suri, stating that the way in which he “fought against a foreign conspiracy” would go down in history. He added that Suri would be remembered as someone who was brave and loyal to the country.
قاسم سوری نے آج استعفیٰ دے دیا ،بحیثیت ڈپٹی اسپیکر قاسم نے جس طرح بیرونی سازش کا مقابلہ کیا ایک دلیرانہ فیصلہ دیا وہ تاریخ کا حصہ ہے،تاریخ قاسم سوری کو ایک دلیر اور ملک کے وفادار کے طور پر ہمیشہ احترام دے گی، بحیثیت کارکن تحریک انصاف آپ پر ہم سب کو فخر ہے #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نا_منظور
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 16, 2022
