Former Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq made it clear on Friday that responsible criticism of the government would be welcomed in the House, but no member would be allowed to cross clearly defined constitutional and institutional boundaries.
Speaking to opposition leaders during a meeting to issue the Leader of the Opposition’s appointment notice, the speaker said the use of abusive or “below the belt” language would under no circumstances be tolerated in parliamentary proceedings.
Outlining three non-negotiable red lines, he said no criticism would be allowed against Pakistan, the armed forces or the judiciary, and warned that the microphones would be switched off if any member tried to speak on these sensitive issues.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that the constitution expressly barred criticism against these institutions, adding that while he had always shown tolerance for criticism against himself, there would be no compromise when it came to national and constitutional boundaries.
The speaker dismissed reports of outside influence and categorically denied Mian Nawaz Sharif’s role in the appointment of the leader of the opposition, saying the former prime minister had no connection with the decision-making process.
He said that Nawaz Sharif was their leader but had given him a free hand to carry out his duties and stressed that all decisions regarding the appointment of Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the Leader of the Opposition were solely taken by the Speaker himself.
The opposition delegation that met the speaker included Barrister Gohar, Junaid Akbar, Latif Khosa, Jamal Ahsan Khan, Shehram Khan, Shandana Gulzar, Zain Qureshi, Ali Asghar Khan, Malik Anwar Taj and Yousaf Khan.
