KP speaker seeks CJP's action over governor's 'unlawful' oath to MPAs

PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has written a strongly worded letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, raising constitutional concerns over the governor's recent oath-taking of newly elected assembly members.

In the letter, Speaker Swati termed the Peshawar High Court Chief Justice’s directives that led to the governor administering the oath as unconstitutional. He argued that, under Articles 130 and 255 of the Constitution, the authority to administer oaths to assembly members rests solely with the speaker—not the governor.

Calling the move a violation of constitutional limits and an infringement on parliamentary authority, Swati announced that the matter would be taken to court. He urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to immediately take notice of the situation. He emphasized that this was not just about an oath or a session, but about protecting the constitutional framework and the dignity of the legislature.

Read Also: KP governor administers oath to 25 opposition MPAs ahead of Senate polls

The controversy arose after the Speaker adjourned the assembly session on grounds of lack of quorum, preventing the swearing-in of 25 members elected on reserved seats. Subsequently, opposition parties approached the Peshawar High Court, which directed the Governor to administer the oaths, which was promptly executed.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has also announced plans to challenge the Governor-led oath-taking in court. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi administered the oath on Sunday to 25 opposition MPAs elected on reserved seats after the provincial assembly failed to meet quorum earlier in the day.

The KP Assembly session, scheduled for 9am, began after a two-and-a-half-hour delay but was promptly adjourned to July 24 when PTI MPA Sher Ali Afridi pointed out the lack of quorum.

In light of the impasse, opposition parties, including the PPP, filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court, urging the chief justice to appoint a person to administer the oath.

Acting on the petition, the Peshawar High Court directed Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to oversee the ceremony, which was held at the Governor’s House.

The governor-led oath-taking helped resolve the deadlock and ensured the newly elected MPAs on reserved seats could participate in the upcoming Senate elections.