Copyright dailytimes
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Friday told a PTI delegation that the matter of the nomination of the opposition leader in the house is “sub judice”. After the conviction of Omer Ayub Khan in the May 9 cases, the party nominated Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai as opposition leader in the National Assembly. The speaker stated that the matter is under consideration during a meeting with a parliamentary delegation of the PTI – led by party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and comprising former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser and other PTI members – at Parliament House. An official handout issued by the NA Secretariat also said that “during the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the House and the speaker informed the delegation that the matter was currently sub judice.” The speaker emphasised that the Parliament was the most important and credible institution of democracy, and all political parties should play a constructive role in strengthening it. He urged the Opposition to play an active and positive role on the parliamentary forum. “Both the government and the opposition need to move forward with a spirit of consultation and cooperation to resolve the political, economic, and public challenges facing the country,” he said. He affirmed his readiness to serve as a bridge between the government and the opposition for the promotion of national reconciliation, parliamentary traditions, and the consolidation of the democratic process. The speaker further expressed hope that all members of Parliament would continue to participate in the legislative process in an effective, positive, and result-oriented manner in the national interest, ensuring durable solutions to the public’s problems. Akin to the NA, the Senate is also without an opposition leader due to the conviction of Shibli Faraz. The PTI has nominated Allama Raja Nasir Abbas for the post. Later speaking at a news conference, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said if the PPP wished to sustain its public-oriented politics, it must reject the entire package of the 27th Constitutional Amendment without exception. He said the services of PPP’s founder, the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for democracy remain a distinguished chapter in the country’s history, and that the party’s role in the framing of the 1973 Constitution was of fundamental importance. “Despite this legacy, the PPP seems to be in a mood of political compromise, willing to accept some amendments and reject others,” he said, adding that if the PPP fully turns down the 27th Amendment, it would mark its genuine return to popular politics. He vowed that the PTI would challenge the passage of the 27th amendment before the courts and would go to the public. Expressing concern over the recent conduct of the judiciary, the PTI leader said the attitude of the courts had become deeply disappointing. The PTI stalwart added that his party’s contacts with opposition parties were ongoing. “Our first meeting was with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in which we thanked him for his support in the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly,” he said. “The Maulana hosted a dinner where detailed political discussions took place, and it was agreed that all opposition parties would hold internal consultations before formulating a joint strategy.” Paying tribute to Sahibzada Hamid Raza, the PTI leader said his services for democracy were commendable. He regretted that “unjust cases” had been filed against him, expressing the hope that they would soon be heard and that justice would prevail.
