MNAs-elect take oath in National Assembly session amid sloganeering by irate opposition
ISLAMABAD, Feb 29 (SABAH): 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, scheduled for 10am, was momentarily delayed. National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf administered the oath to the MNAs.
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The administration rescinded invitations for some members and no protests are allowed.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.