ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly session on Thursday began with a chaotic scene as lawmakers backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) surrounded the speaker’s dais, chanting slogans and protesting alleged rigging in the February 8th general elections.
The session, initially scheduled for 10:00 AM, started over an hour late due to the commotion. Despite the announced protest, all newly elected members of the National Assembly MNAs participated in the oath-taking ceremony administered by Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
However, the calm proved temporary. As soon as the oaths were completed, PTI-SIC lawmakers resumed their protests, forcing the speaker to intervene and appeal for order. Strict security measures were implemented in the Red Zone surrounding parliament, with only authorized vehicles allowed entry.
This session follows a recent disagreement between President Dr. Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar regarding the summoning of the National Assembly. The president eventually signed the summary, paving the way for today’s inaugural session.
Schedule for PM election
As per the schedule, Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf would administer the oath to the newly-elected legislators, followed by the election of the new speaker and deputy speaker.
For the aforementioned coveted constitutional posts, aspiring candidates are required to submit their nomination papers before 12pm today — with the voting set to be held on Friday (tomorrow).
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