National Assembly Speaker Qasim Khan Suri resigned ahead of the session in which a no-trust motion against him was on agenda.
According to the media reports secretary of the national assembly has received the resignation. It is worth mentioning here that earlier this month deputy speaker gave a ruling that was declared ‘unconstitutional’ by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
On Wednesday, Suri also tried to delay the session of the National Assembly. He used his special powers under the rules as an acting speaker. After the resignation of Asad Qaiser Suri was the acting speaker and he changed the schedule of the house from April 16 to April 22.
The National Assembly session, which was scheduled to be held at 4pm on April 16, will now be held at 3pm on April 22. The change in the schedule has been made by the acting speaker under Rule 49(2) of the Rules and Procedure for the Conduct of the Business in the National Assembly 2007 said an official handout issued by the NA Secretariat.
On Wednesday the National Assembly secretariat also issued the schedule for the speaker’s election as the seat fell vacant after Asad Qaiser’s resignation. Acceding to the official statement the papers were to be submitted by 12 noon on April 15.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf from Pakistan People’s Party was the only candidate who submitted the papers and won the seat without any competition. He is expected to take his oath as speaker of the house today (Saturday).
