NA to elect new speaker, deputy speaker today
PTI's Qasim Suri will face challenge of JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazalur Rehmans son Asad Mehmood.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Newly elected lawmakers will go into secret voting today to elect speaker and deputy speaker of the lower house of the parliament.
For the slot of speaker of National Assembly (NA), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser will lock horns with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Khurshid Shah.
Likewise, PTI’s Qasim Suri will face challenge of JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman’s son Asad Mehmood for slot of deputy speaker.
The nomination papers of all candidates have been approved after thorough scrutiny.
PTI enjoys support of its allies including Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), Balochistan National Party (M), Grand Democratic Alliance, Awami Muslim League (AML), Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) and Jamhoori Watan Party.
After allotment of reserved seats for women and minorities by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PTI’s tally in NA stands at 151. Adding seats of MQM-P, GDA, AML, BAP and BNP-M, the tally soars to 175. Two independent candidates have also assured PTI of their support.
On the other hand, opposition’s candidates enjoy support of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Awami National Party (ANP). Combining seats of grand alliance, opposition can manage to secure votes somewhat around 150.
Incumbent speaker Ayaz Sadiq will take oath from his successor. After this, new NA speaker will conduct voting for deputy speaker under his supervision.
