ISLAMABAD: The opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, on Thursday, filed a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

The no-confidence motion against NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri was submitted by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmakers, Khurram Dastgir Khan and Muhammad Javed Abbasi.

The sources said that the no-confidence motion – which demands the removal of the NA deputy speaker was signed by the lawmakers of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the PML-N.

The opposition lawmakers accused Suri of running the house “illegally”.

They took the pela that Suri has been running the NA proceedings without paying any heed to quorum pointed out by the opposition members on several occasions, which is against the rules.

During Thursday’s session, there were 80 items on the agenda which, the opposition alleged were bulldozed and 21 items were passed.

The opposition tried their best to have their voices heard as they pointed out lack of quorum, surrounded the speaker’s rostrum, and protested, but all fell on deaf ear as NA deputy speaker suspended the rules and the items passed the bills one after another.

After a walk-out from the session, the opposition filed a no-confidence motion against Suri under Rule 12 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly.

The motion states that all the legislation passed today was done so in an illegal manner and that the voices of the people were suppressed as the opposition was not allowed to speak.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021