News
Friday, May 31, 2013
Stage set for maiden session of NA
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The inaugural session of the new National Assembly will be held tomorrow (Saturday) amid elaborate security arrangements.
The National Assembly on Thursday released a tentative schedule for the election of speaker, deputy speaker and leader of House after oath-taking of the newly elected members of the House. The session of the new assembly has been summoned tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am and the first day would be allocated for taking of oath by the members and filing of nomination papers for the office of speaker and deputy speaker. The election of speaker and deputy speaker will be held on June 3. The nomination papers for the election of prime minister will be filed on June 4 by 12pm and their scrutiny will be done by 2pm. The election for the prime minister will be held on June 5.
Sitting Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza will be the presiding office for the election of the speaker, whereas for the election of deputy speaker, new speaker will be presiding officer. In the wake of simple majority of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the elections for all three offices will be one-sided contest as the party will have an easy sailing to get its nominees for the speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister elected in the new assembly.
The PML-N has a total strength of 186 members in a House of 338, as the election on four National Assembly seats was postponed. Party sources told Daily Times that PML-N leadership is still considering its nominee for the speaker. However, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is the hot favourite for the speaker’s office. For deputy speaker office, sources disclosed that Sumera Malik, who has been elected on a general seat, would be the likely candidate of the party because the party wants to accommodate the woman lawmaker on high position.
For the office of the prime minister, PML-N has nominated party president, Nawaz Sharif who is certain to become prime minister for third time on the back of party majority. On the other hand, opposition parties are still indecisive on fielding their candidates in the election of speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister because of the PML-N’s majority. The National Assembly hall has been renovated by ensuring simplicity. The MNAs-elect have been allotted seats as per Urdu alphabetical order. Parliamentary leaders have been allotted seats in front rows. Special cards have been issued to high civil and military officials, diplomats and important personalities.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk