MNA refuses to take back no-trust motion against speaker

19 Jun, 2005

Treasury MNA Makhdoom Ahmed Alam Anwar has declined to review his decision to file a no-trust motion against National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain. "I will not change my decision and I am counting on the goodwill of my friends in the National Assembly to back me," the MNA from Rahim Yar Khan said while talking to Business Recorder on Saturday.
He said neither Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz nor Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat had refused to say 'yes' to his demand for support on the matter.
Sources said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain failed to prevail upon the PML lawmaker, who claimed to enjoy support of over 100 members.
"I can't reconcile with the speaker, who is supposed to act like a judge and neutral empire in running the house, but he does not," he contended.
Makhdoom Alam revealed few days back he had asked the speaker at his chamber to improve the working of the assembly.
The speaker, however, played down Makhdoom Alam's plan, saying the MNA was angry and emotional.
The opposition had brought the no-confidence motion last year against the speaker, who survived and so did the deputy speaker.
However, this is for the first time that a lone treasury member has decided to initiate the move, which is likely to be thwarted, according to insiders.
At least 86 (one-fourth) lawmakers of the 342-member House are required to file a motion under Article-53 (clause-7) of the Constitution with the National Assembly secretariat.
If the mover fails to prove required number of members are with him then the chair would ask members to rise in their seats for a count and would allow the motion if one-fourth supported the move.
Rules say that within seven days after the motion is filed with the secretariat, the deputy speaker has to summon the session and the only item on the agenda has to be the no-trust motion.
The secretariat has to circulate the copy of the motion among all members forthwith after it is filed, sources explained.
Members can file separate motions and the chair has the discretion to allow all of them to speak for a maximum of 15 minutes on causes of filing the motion.
Rules don't permit the speaker to preside over proceedings if a motion of no-trust is brought against him.

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