Khursheed Shah is among tho few members of the ruling party who have attended maximum sessions of the lower house. PHOTO: FILE
The decision was taken in pursuance of the Rule 39 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. A notification, in this regard, was also issued by the NA secretariat on Friday.
The PPP had won 124 out of the total 342 National Assembly in 2008 general elections, but managed to win only 41 in 2013, making it the second largest political party after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
During the last five years, Shah was the chief whip of PPP in the house and was one of the few members of the ruling party who attended the most number lower house sessions.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, PPP has won only two general seats in Punjab and 31 from its traditional stronghold Sindh. After winning 33 general seats, the party was allocated seven reserved seats for women and one reserved seat for minorities.
Election results suggested that a possible alliance between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) which has 35 seats and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which has 23 seats could have denied PPP from the leader of the opposition slot but this did not happen.
According to legal experts, the opposition leader has as crucial role as the Prime Minister and is constitutionally bound to consult him on several matters including the appointment of chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), formation of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and most importantly appointment of caretaker prime minister.
In addition, the opposition leader also bears a role in parliamentary committee for the appointment of superior courts judges through the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
During the last five years, the PPP government has laid foundation of a new practice by appointing leader of the opposition as Chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) first.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had officiated as Chairman PAC, but had resigned from the office after differences with the government over the appointment of a handpicked Auditor General of Pakistan.
COMMENTS (20)
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@Ricky: What you see as arrogance of PTI is actually frustration toward traditional political line up. We mostly see few families occupying parties (and bureaucracy) are the reason for turmoil in country. I personally believe that all major Political parties have enough potential with in to over come currently faced challenges. But no matter how hard they (potential candidates) try, they will never get opportunity to head the party and that is where violation of merit on the highest level come into picture. Applying merit is what Imran Khan is trying the achieve with in PTI (and it is not an easy job) and in return earn respect and support of PTI followers. So as you may now understand, we support Imran Khan more for his standing on merit than anything else. If same merit ideology is applied with in PPP, PMLN, MQM, and others Pakistan would have been a different place.
You know what real irony is: ignoring my previous comment on real issue and you planned to respond on something very minor. It is OK to defend your elected ones, but at the same time you should followup with their commitment made during election campaign with some intelect than emotions.
@J: I beg to differ. You see one has to be a leader. It's not about power or role it's about coming to an end where Pakistan benefits rather then IK's image. Pakistan would really have benefited if PPP's corruption was accounted for. There are many in the world who die being just voices without action. Learn from the Life of our greatest politician M.A Jinnah. H sat down with Congress and even the British when he needed to and stood against them when he needed to. He showed flexibility and today we have Pakistan. If he didn't engage with the British and Congress we wouldn't have Pakistan. IK is a good man but very rigid which will make us suffer as he can really work well and it'll be a shame to see him quietly end his life with mere slogans without any action because of his mistakes.
Feeling Sorry for Poor IK.
To supporters of "Family owned political parties": So as expected, PPP and PMLN in National Assembly. What about " Ali Baba and 40 cour" slogan? In next few ears, you will be gifted with drastic steps of cutting down in politician allowances. But what remain is, at the end of the day they are industrialist. They will bring up more investment to boost their own industries and you will be gifted with "drastic steps of creating jobs". You will be gifted with mega project from loaned wealth. And yet, when asked about how will Pakistan ever pay it back, they will respond with questionnaire coming in way of promising Pakistan.
We will support Imran Khan, if he get to be the last man standing in PTI.
All we need is a sincere leadership with vision and diplomacy. As the statement is that the world is a global village, we need to create space and prove our existence to world as a civilized muslim nation.
We as a nation need to elevate and contribute in resolving our problems rather discussing them behind doors. We need to realize over spending on individual and as a community as well. Need concious effort in saving our resources and exploring new ones.
We may have gone rock bottom but we have the courage, strength and expertise to excel and rise above. Please keep your faith in Allah and full efforts to move on. Zinda baad Pakistan.
Seems like all the people who comments are political mature and wise than imran khan... due to pathetic choices of confused nation of pakistan we are suffering today
@Shahid.... You are not trying to understand the difference between Principle and Power..... for IK being opposition leader was easy but he didn`t choose bc he would have sacrificed his principles by joining hands with MQM>>>>>
It is great to see the democracy has taken roots in Pakistan. First NS did not allow JUI’s Fazal to make KPK govt with the help of independents and other parties. PTI had most seats in KPK and had a right to take a first shot in making the govt. The same thing happened today when the speaker asked the second largest party to become leader of the opposition. There is no need for dirty politics if the difference in seats between PPP and PTI is noticeably in favor of PPP. I am glad PPP has nominated a leader of the opposition who has good relationships with most NA members and is a regular participant. There is no guarantee that the multiple NA seat holders of PTI including IK can keep all those seats for their parties. Currently those elected on several seats can only have one vote in the NA. I sincerely hope that PTI would have given a ticket to Fouzia K, on one of the seats that are going to be vacant for by-elections. Compared to new turncoats and lotas they cannot find a better woman leader for PTI.
Political immaturity of Mr Khan shines like the sun.
Imran firm on his principles once again. No alliance with terrorist party of the 'na-maloom' afraad. Silly titles hold no significance for Imran, goals are the only thing that matter to him. Anyone else in place of him would have cowered down and done the usual muk-muka to get the silly 'feather in the cap'. Nothing but respect for Imran and his team. Everyone knows who the REAL opposition is going to be, regardless of the title. Petty low-lifes will continue to think otherwise.
@fawaz: Why don't you name your kids as AAZ / NS
So after incessant and venomous rants and sheer contempt for PML-N, all that IK got was the Parliamentary Leadership of PTI in the assembly and a joke of a government in KPK. If I was a dimwit cult follower (Thank god I am not), I would have surely broken off my allegiance with this pajama party.
@Shahid: You are right imran khan has been exposed with no leadership skills.
Poor imran khan supporter. still believe on him. Imran khan is just a big liar.
Again the immaturity of Imran Khan and PTI will make Pakistan suffer greatly. If they had won MQM's vote they could have ensured that the corruption of PPP was accounted for or at least try. Now PPP and PMLN will continue Muk Muka with all appointments. So disappointed in all the parties even PTI in choosing their interests over Pakistan's interest. Sad day.
Here we go again.........a meaningless law which doesn`t allow other forces to participate...
Lol, Imran khan loses in this front also. He should resign immediately....... If he has guts.
No matter who is named as the opposition leader, Imran Khan will be the opposition leader is the eyes of the people !!
It means AZ still dont want to accommodate others. People were expecting Amin Fahim.