Sheikh Waqas Akram faces possible loss of NA seat over prolonged absence

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Sheikh Waqas Akram is at risk of losing his National Assembly seat due to continuous absence without formal leave.

During the NA session, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issued a warning to the PTI lawmaker, pointing out that he has been absent for 40 consecutive days without approved leave. The Speaker indicated that under the rules, the seat could be declared vacant.

PTI’s Malik Aamir Dogar objected, claiming that the party is being unfairly targeted and cited no previous example of a seat being vacated solely for leave-related issues. He said Sheikh Waqas had submitted leave applications to the Speaker’s office.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq responded that former NA member Muhammad Mian Soomro had previously lost his seat over prolonged absence. Following this, PML-N MNA Nosheen Iftikhar moved a motion to terminate Sheikh Waqas Akram’s membership, which the Deputy Speaker referred for proceedings under assembly rules.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Waqas Akram maintained that he had regularly submitted leave requests, questioning, “The Speaker is the custodian of the House. My applications are in his office, where have they gone?”