Controversial nomination of opposition leader in Senate: Chairman's ruling in accordance with constitution, insists Swati

Senator Azam Khan Swati of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam on Tuesday warned that negation of constitutional provisions pertaining to notification of opposition leader in Senate would mar the democratic norms, as the ruling of the chair is just and in accordance with the constitution.
Initiating debate on the controversial appointment of opposition leader in Senate, the JUI-F senator termed main opposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) demand to withdraw notification of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri as opposition leader a dangerous move and threat to teething democracy.
If the issue was not resolved amicably, it would set a wrong precedence, he said, adding that a practical, farsighted and mature politics would steer the country out of the prevailing crisis. "The country is passing through a critical juncture and this is time to forget the differences...we have to swim together and sink together otherwise it would be of no use of crying over spilt milk," he added.
The ruling of chairman Senate regarding the nomination of opposition leader, he added, was the right decision as per constitution of the country. "The party [JUI-F] is the single largest opposition party with 10 senators in Senate, so how a party having only 8 members with less numerical strength can be appointed leader of opposition," he questioned.
Swati said that chairman Senate Chairman had inherited powers to give his ruling on the election of opposition leader, which must be honoured and respected by all political parties. "You [Senate chairman} being the custodian of this august house has the right to interpret the law as this is your prerogative if there is any controversy, it must be referred to you and your decision is final, which nobody can undo," he added.
He said that all the members of the upper house has the right to vote in case there was any motion, resolution, bill or any amendment, but members sitting on treasury benches could not vote for appointment of opposite leader. "The PML-Q is government ally and its members are sitting on treasury benches...if some members have differences with the party leadership, it does not mean they could be count as opposition, so its members have no right to cast vote for nomination of opposition leader," he maintained.
Senator Babar Awan of PPP, while speaking on the issue said that according to constitution, parliamentary business could not be taken to the court. He said that PPP is not a party in the controversy of opposition leader nomination. However, he deplored that some party members are not in favour to give right of vote to Fata senators, which is against democratic norms. The house was adjourned till Wednesday.