News Desk
The PTI requested the National Assembly speaker to issue production orders for its nine “detained” MNAs ahead of NA and Senate sessions on Tuesday.
In a letter to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Chief Whip Amir Dogar claimed that the nine MNAs were “currently detained” and requested him to issue production orders for them to enable them to attend the 30th session.
The lawmakers comprised Haji Imtiaz Ahmad Choudhry (??-68), Muhammad Jamal Ahsan Khan (NA-89), Mian Ghous Muhammad (??-170), Sanaullah Khan Mastikhel (N?-91), Dawar Khan Kundi (NA-43), Junaid Akbar (NA-09), Amjad Ali Khan (NA-02), Fazal Muhammad Khan (??-25) and Adil Khan Bazai (NA-262).
“As the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the impartiality of your esteemed office requires that production orders be issued for all detained members, irrespective of their political affiliation, to ensure that no constituency remains unrepresented during the proceedings of the House,” the letter read.
It requested Sadiq to issue the production orders under Rule 108 of the 2007 Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly.
When the NA session began at around 7pm, Speaker Sadiq administered the oath of membership to PML-N’s Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, who won the Bahawalpur polls last month held to fill the seat of his late father Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar.
Lawmakers then offered prayers for late MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk, who died last month after a prolonged illness.
As MNAs from various parties took their turns to recall the services of Virk, there was slight commotion, which prompted the speaker to urge PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan to respect the late MNA.
Gohar remarked that sessions are usually adjourned after prayers for a deceased member. Referring to the governor’s rule in KP, he said the “funeral of this house was also held on Oct 11”.
“We tried to give you very much in dialogue, but you (PTI) were not ready to take what we had offered,” the speaker replied, then switched off Gohar’s mic.
The speaker said political discussion will not be allowed today, but tomorrow (Wednesday).
PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar also urged the PTI chairman to acknowledge the services of Virk, who had stood by the Constitution. He said the PTI could raise its issues later as well.