Production orders will be issued as per law: NA speaker

Asad Qaiser says he doesn’t make decisions that can be challenged in court

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser on Wednesday said his decisions on issuing production orders would be in accordance with the law and rules.

Speaking to reporters, Qaiser said he had always tried to play a mediatory role between the treasury and opposition members in the National Assembly.

“I am always cautious while making decisions. I won’t take a step that could be challenged in a court,” he maintained.

The speaker further urged the media to be more responsible and act professionally instead of supporting any political party.

“The media should be discussing important topics like agriculture and education,” he said.

“The media can play a major role in ensuing good governance,” he added.

The speaker said he would meet the officials of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and tell them to ensure that TV channels dedicated at least an hour of airtime to programmes on agriculture and education.

Speaking on the opposition parties’ no-confidence motion against the Senate chairman, Qaiser said there was apparently no good reason for the move as Sadiq Sanjrani was running the house in a smooth manner.

“There was no need for the no-confidence move. I don’t think this was appropriate. The sanctity of the Senate is more important.”

Qaiser said the opposition parties agreed on a charter of economy in the National Assembly but later backed out.

Talking about austerity measures, the speaker said he had only spent Rs1 million on foreign tours so far and travelled to Moscow at his own expense.

He claimed that the National Assembly secretariat had saved RS630 million last year and returned it to the Finance Division.