Opposition withdraws motion against NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri

• PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said that the opposition is withdrawing its decision to bring no-trust motion against deputy speaker.
• Opposition submitted a no-motion trust against Suri on November 8.

In a surprise move, the opposition members in National Assembly withdrew the no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri after the government agreed to hold debate on ordinances that were passed earlier.

“The decision has been taken after an agreement between the government and the opposition to carry out legislation on important issues with consensus,” said PML-N leader Khwaja Asif while addressing the National Assembly session on Friday.

Both the treasury and opposition benches appreciated the initiative of carrying out legislation with consensus.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MNA Asad Umar lauded opposition's decision to withdraw the no-trust motion against Suri. He maintained, “We have come in the assembly from the  vote of the people and we should focus on solving their problems.”

He said, “Legislation done by committees is more effective. After five years, people will say that Speaker Asad Qaiser strengthened this House.”

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati said that discussions will be held on Pakistan Medical Commission Ordinance, Medical Tribunal Ordinance and the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Ordinance, 2019.

“Bills on these three ordinances will be brought with consensus,” he told the National Assembly session.

Swati maintained that the government and opposition have agreed to withdraw the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Ordinance 2019, Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Ordinance 2019, the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Ordinance 2019 and the Superior Courts (Court Dress and Mode of Address) Ordinance 2019.

He said the Benami Transaction (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and The National Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2019 will be referred to the respective standing committees when they will be presented.

The ordinances were passed by the House last week but the opposition members lodged a protest against the procedure to approve them.

Meanwhile, MQM lawmaker Aminul Haq urged the government to allow former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to leave the country for medical treatment.

In his earlier statement, Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak said that meetings with the opposition over the last few days have proved to be effective and both the sides have agreed to move forward with consensus to ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament.

He said the sanctity of the House will be upheld with the cooperation of the opposition parties.

The session was adjourned indefinitely.

Last week, Asif, Khurram Dastagir, Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, Murtaza Javed Abbasi and Muhammad Sajjad submitted a no-confidence motion against Suri. The PML-N MPAs moved the resolution under Article 53(7)(c) of the Constitution.