Opposition leader’s nomination challenged
A petitioner has challenged in Lahore High Court a notification through which PTI’s Raja Riaz was nominated as Opposition Leader in the National Assembly.
The petition was filed by one Munir Ahmed through Advocate Azhar Siddique, contending that the appointment of Raja Riaz as Opposition Leader is violation of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
He argued that all resignations recently presented in the National Assembly were not accepted and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not de-notified the members.
If the procedure was not completed then how the respondent was appointed as the opposition leader, the petitioner asked.
He submitted that Raja Riaz had submitted an application signed by 16 dissident lawmakers of the PTI in the National Assembly Secretariat for nominating him as the opposition leader.
The speaker, in pursuance of Rule 39, declared him as the Leader of the Opposition.
The speaker said it was announced in the house that any opposition lawmakers wishing to become the leader of the opposition could show their strength and submit the MNAs’ signatures to his office.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2022.