Pakistan

Opposition moves no-trust against Suri

Qasim Suri's actions fall within the purview of Article 6 of the Constitution, motion states

Our Correspondent April 08, 2022

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Qasim Suri. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

ISLAMABAD:

The joint opposition moved a no-confidence resolution against National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri on Friday, accusing him of violating the constitutional provisions, besides rules and parliamentary and democratic traditions.

A resolution was filed with the National Assembly secretary for removal of Suri from the deputy speaker’s office under Article 53(7) of the Constitution. The secretary had been asked to distribute the resolution among the National Assembly members and submit it in the house in seven days.

Deputy Speaker Suri gave the controversial ruling, while rejecting the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly session on April 3. However, his ruling was struck down by the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The opposition’s resolution said that the deputy speaker continued to violate constitutional rules, parliamentary and democratic traditions, adding that the deputy speaker favoured the government instead of remaining neutral.

“The deputy speaker has repeatedly violated the rules, parliamentary practices, democratic norms and traditions and even Constitutional provisions, and when presiding over the House, has failed to conduct proceedings in an orderly manner to enable productive debate on issues of public importance,” it said.

“Instead of performing his role fairly and impartially, the Deputy Speaker has acted in a blatantly partisan manner invariably favouring the Government, especially in passing legislation, and has frequently deprived Opposition members of their inherent, democratic right to speak and voice their views and the views of their electorate,” it added.

The resolution also mentioned Suri’s ruling on April 3, rejecting the resolution for a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, adding that the Supreme Court declared the ruling contrary to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect.

“The Deputy Speaker has wilfully and malafidely subverted the Constitution and his action falls within the purview of Article 6 of the Constitution,” the resolution said, referring to the constitutional provision about high treason.