Nisar writes to NA Speaker over violation of procedure

According to letter, the NA’s trust on PM Gilani and resolutions in favour of Saraeki province are absolutely illegal. The letter says that Rule 158(3) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2001 requires that a Minister shall give three days’ notice of his intentions to move a resolution and shall submit a copy of the Resolution with the notice.“The Speaker may allow the moving of a resolution of an urgent nature. During the proceedings of the House on 3.05.2102, when the PML-N members were vociferously protesting against the continuous refusal of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to abide by the order dated, 26.04.2012 of the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan finding him guilty of, and convicting him for, contempt of court and hence disqualifying him from being a member of the National Assembly, the Minister for Law and Justice rose from his seat and sought permission to move resolutions.”The letter further says, “The Speaker (who had been presiding over the proceedings since the commencement) had conveniently retired to her Chamber, and the Deputy Speaker, who was presiding at the time, without even ascertaining the subject of the Resolutions, much less whether they were of an ‘urgent nature’, allowed the moving of the Resolutions in clear violation of Rule 158(3), despite vociferous, vigorous and vehement protests of the Opposition and other members.”“Worse still, the Resolution, as such serious issues as expression of confidence in, and approval of the conduct of , a person convicted of contempt of Court , were declared to have been passed by voice vote , without discussion, whereas a very large number of persons were opposing the resolutions and the “Noes” were clearly louder than the “Yes” . In such circumstances it is simply incredible that the Deputy Speaker was able to declare that the Resolutions had been passed by voice votes.”The letter further says, “I may add that whereas the Resolutions moved by the government were allowed to be moved by the minister in violation of the Rules, the Resolutions filed by all PML (N) members of the House on 03.05.2012 regarding creation of four new Provinces, i.e. Hazara, Bahawalpur, South Punjab, and FATA according to the laid down rules was not entertained and therefore not placed on the Orders of the Day on 04.05.2012.”“It is clear from the above fact that the office of the Speaker/Deputy Speaker has been used to favor the government treasury benches. This is of particular concern keeping in view the repeated assertions of Syed Yosuf Raza Gilani, that he will only accept the decision of Speaker, as to his fate. The Resolutions said to have passed by such open display of partisanship cannot be deemed to reflect the genuine sense of the august House. In particular the Resolution expressing so called support for Syed Yosuf Raza Gilani is of no parliamentary, legal or moral value, at home or abroad”, the letter concluded.