MNAs-elect take oath in National Assembly session amid sloganeering by irate opposition
The PTI has returned to the Parliament after the party’s lawmakers had resigned en masse in April 2022.
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Newly elected Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) on Thursday took oath in the inaugural session amid sloganeering by irate opposition.
Earlier, the MNAs-elect reached the Parliament House to be sworn in amidst an air of anticipation. The inaugural session of the National Assembly began after a delay of more than one hour.
Senior leaders of various political parties congregated for the commencement of the 16th session of the National Assembly.
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 10. am was momentarily delayed. National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf administered the oath to the MNAs.
The PTI has returned to the Parliament after the party’s lawmakers had resigned en masse in April 2022. Despite the unspoken ban on mentioning Imran Khan’s name and displaying his photo or video, this is the first time that the party has got the chance to take the PTI founder’s name and show his photos on television screens; perhaps a small reward for returning to the Parliament.
Aamir Dogar, who served as PTI’s chief whip during the previous stint, not only signed on the register marking lawmakers’ attendance on the Role of Sign of the members in connection with Rule No.7 of the Rules and Procedure of National Assembly 2007 but also shouted slogans in favour of Imran and PTI while standing near NA speaker’s desk.
The assembly has so far witnessed newly-elected lawmakers shouting slogans in favour of their leaders and parties while members are busy signing on the register.
Nawaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal Bhutto among others have signed.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwarts Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister nominee Shehbaz Sharif reached the assembly. Notable PML-N figures including Khawaja Asif, Attaullah Tarar and Ayaz Sadiq are also in attendance at the Parliament House.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is equally prepared, with prime minister nominee Omar Ayub, Barrister Gohar, Latif Khosa and Sher Afzal Marwat all set to assume their roles. They have announced plans for a peaceful protest against alleged rigging in the polls results.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and presidential nominee Asif Ali Zardari, along with other party leaders, are ready to navigate the power corridors.
Similarly, Sunni Ittehad Council’s senior office-bearers have gathered in the Assembly Hall. The PTI and the SIC candidates have held posters of the PTI founder and chanted slogans against rigging.
PML-N senator Nuzhat Sadiq has taken oath as a MNA and resigned from her senator position. Meanwhile, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (JUI) has resigned from senator role and has taken oath as MNA.
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani has accepted the resignation of both senators and released the notifications of their resignation.
The federal government has imposed Section 144 in Islamabad to ensure security. The National Assembly is under close surveillance through the Safe City initiative. Only individuals with valid invitation cards are permitted to enter the Parliament House.
The administration rescinded invitations for some members and no protests are allowed. Strict action will be taken by the Islamabad police against anyone involved in any illegal activity.
The Red Zone, under the purview of the SSP Operations, remains closely monitored during this significant event.
The National Assembly comprises a total of 366 seats, including 60 reserved for women and 10 for minorities. The seat count has been adjusted following the merger of FATA.
As per the ECP, PML-N has secured 108 seats, making it the leading party in the National Assembly. SIC stands as the second major party with 81 seats, including independent candidates supported by PTI. PPP holds the third position with 68 seats.
Parties have nominated candidates for the positions of speaker and deputy speaker, and the elections for these roles will take place after the MNAs take their oaths. PML-N has put forward Ayaz Sadiq as its candidate for the National Assembly speaker, while Awais Laghari has been nominated for the deputy speaker slot.
While PTI has nominated Amir Dogar for the same position and Junaid Akbar for deputy speaker. Following the appointment of the speaker and deputy speaker, the voting for the role of the prime minister will occur, requiring 169 votes for victory. PML-N has chosen Shehbaz Sharif, and PTI has nominated Omar Ayub for the position of prime minister.