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Raja Pervez Ashraf elected NA speaker unopposed

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  • PM Shehbaz congratulates Ashraf for being elected as speaker.
  • Suri resigns as deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
  • Ashraf takes oath as the NA speaker shortly after being elected.

ISLAMABAD: PPP’s Raja Pervez Ashraf was elected unopposed as the speaker of the National Assembly Saturday, with PTI leader Qasim Suri resigning from the office of the deputy speaker, hours before a no-confidence motion was scheduled to be tabled against him.

The NA speaker’s office fell vacant on April 9 when PTI’s Asad Qaiser resigned, stating that he can not hold voting on the no-confidence against the then-prime minister Imran Khan, which he said, was a part of a “foreign conspiracy” against the PTI government.

PPP’s Ashraf took oath as the 22nd NA speaker shortly after being elected unopposed as no other member submitted nomination papers.

In response to Suri’s resignation, PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq — who chaired today’s session — said there’s no need for voting on the motion now. 

He stated that the courts have specified the resignation process according to which it is to be presented to the speaker in presence of witnesses.

I hope you bury what took place earlier: Shehbaz

Congratulating the newly-elected speaker, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while speaking on the floor of the NA, hoped that Ashraf would bury what took place in the assembly in the last four years.

“You are an experienced politician. I congratulate you from the depth of my heart. You have also served the country as the prime minister,” the prime minister said.

‘Intuitions returning towards their constitutional role’

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari extended his congratulation to Raja Pervez Ashraf on becoming the 22nd speaker of the lower house.

Referring to the recent political turmoil in the country, Bilawal, while speaking on the floor of the house, said that a mockery was made of the constitution and the house during the last few days. Pakistan’s image was maligned, he added.

“The selected prime minister, who was imposed on the house, has been removed. We are a coalition government now,” he said, adding that the change brought a ray of hope for the people. Addressing Shehbaz Sharif, the PPP leader said: “Mr prime minister all the institutions and the nation are looking towards you.”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressing a session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022. — Twitter/NAofPakistan
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressing a session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022. — Twitter/NAofPakistan

“Those institutions who had been controversial, are now returning towards their constitutional role,” said Bilawal.

The PPP leader claimed that no power could stop Pakistan from progressing and developing.

Speaking on the occasion, he, on the behalf of the house, expresses deep grief and condoled on the sad demise of Bilquis Bano Edhi, the wife of renowned humanitarian and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. Meanwhile, he tabled a motion to pay tribute to Bilquis Bano Edhi, which was approved unanimously by the house.

PTI lawmakers asked to submit resignation again

In his opening note soon after taking the oath, newly elected NA Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf thanked Bilawal and former president Asif Ali Zardari for nominating him for the slot. He also thanked PM Shehbaz Sharif and the allied parties for reposing their confidence in him.

He maintained that earning more respect and honour for the House will be his top priority. The speaker vowed that he will act in an impartial manner and added that the voice of the opposition will not be suppressed but respected. He maintained that they should not divide the nation.

Newly elected National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf addressing a session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022. — Twitter/NAofPakistan
Newly elected National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf addressing a session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022. — Twitter/NAofPakistan

The NA speaker said that all the institutions should co-operate with each other while keeping themselves within their constitutional ambit.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said that he will look into the matters of the former NA deputy speaker’s ruling and the resignations of the PTI members as per the rules.

The NA speaker directed to present the resignation of PTI’s lawmakers before him.

Loadshedding in Pakistan

Talking before the election of the speaker, PM Shehbaz brought it to the house’s notice that he held several meetings with energy and petroleum officials in light of the load-shedding across the country.

He said that the current capacity to produce electricity was enough for the country, but unfortunately, the PTI-led government did not follow up on the projects that had started during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during a session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022. — PID
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during a session of the National Assembly in Islamabad, on April 16, 2022. — PID

The prime minister said it was due to the PTI government’s “gross management and incompetence” that is causing load-shedding in the country — and nothing else.

“This was the most incompetent and corrupt government,” he said lashing out at the Imran Khan-led government. Shehbaz said had Nawaz and Abbasi not struck energy deals with Qatar, then the power crisis would have deepened today as the PTI meet the energy needs.

Talking about the flyover being constructed near the Rawal Chowk in Islamabad, he said it was written on its contract that the project was expected to be completed within 24 months, but due to PTI’s government, it was still not complete.

“…we made such projects within 72 hours,” he said. Shehbaz hoped that the government could resolve the issues of the country.

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Preliminary ruling on Sheikh Rashid’s exoneration plea on conspiracy to assassinate President Zardari

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On Thursday, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court reserved judgment on Sheikh Rashid’s (leader of the Awami Muslim League) appeal in the matter of alleged plot to assassinate President Asif Ali Zardari.

Earlier, Sheikh Rashid sought exoneration in the matter by lodging a plea.

On Thursday, the session was presided over by Civil Judge Yasir Mehmood.

The ex-minister of the federal government and his legal team made an appearance in court.

In court, lawyer Sardar Razaq contended that the FIR filed against Sheikh Rashid did not adhere to the law.

The veteran politician’s lawyer begged the court to clear his client’s name in the case that was filed with the Abpara Police Station.

The case’s ruling was postponed by the court.

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KP CM Ganadapur granted three weeks of travel bail by PHC

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The chief minister of KP, Ali Amin Gandapur, has been granted three weeks of transit bail in his plea with the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

The appeal for information regarding charges against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was considered by a two-judge panel from the PHC, which included Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah.

The chief justice noted that the chief minister showed up for the court hearing, even though he was actually scheduled to be in Islamabad for an IMF meeting.

The applicant’s legal representative has asked for specifics of all pending charges against Chief Minister Gandapur, including those in Punjab.

According to the assistant attorney general, he told the ministry of the interior to adhere rigidly to court orders.

According to CJ Ibrahim, they have the option to request a response from the federal government and extend protection bail up to the Punjab region.

In every case, the additional attorney general ensured that court orders were implemented. He said that he had written to each district and requested details from the Punjab Police and the Inspector General.

The assistant attorney general has asked for an extension of three weeks to complete the report.

Gandapur could not attend the court daily due to his administrative duties and his position as chief minister and public office holder, according to Justice Asadullah.

After extending KP CM’s protective bail, the judge postponed the case hearing to December 17.

“Prepared to Protest”

Speaking to the media outside of PHC, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur declared that he was prepared for the PTI protest meeting and that this time, the action plan will be stringent but undisclosed.

He emphasized that their peaceful protest was in accordance with their constitutionally protected right. According to him, his group was attacked, rubber bullets were shot, and routes were blocked so that protests couldn’t take place.

Importantly, on November 24th, Aleema Khan, who is the brother of PTI founder Imran Khan, said that her brother had called for a final protest.

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A response to an intra-party election case has been granted an extension by PTI.

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The matter involving PTI’s intra-party elections was heard by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and the party once again asked for more time to respond.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of the PTI, and petitioner Akbar S. Babar were both present before a two-member ECP court that heard the matter.

In response to PTI’s plea for additional time to respond, the Election Commission extended the deadline.

Additional case proceedings will not resume until December 4, per the commission’s adjournment.

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