“Negative or controversial remarks about the role of the judiciary, Pakistan Armed Forces, judges are unacceptable”
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
LAHORE:
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday drew clear red lines for parliamentary discourse, declaring that statements targeting Pakistan, the judiciary or the armed forces would not be allowed on the floor of Parliament.
According to a handout issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, the speaker made the remarks during a visit to the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore, where he stressed that parliamentary speech must remain within constitutional and legal boundaries.
“Negative or controversial remarks about the role of the judiciary, the armed forces of Pakistan and judges are unacceptable,” Sadiq said, adding that any remarks against the armed forces were “unacceptable”. He emphasized that only speech that falls within the scope of the law and the constitution would be allowed in Parliament.
“Those who speak against Pakistan will not be allowed to express their views on the floor of the National Assembly,” he was quoted as saying. The speaker reaffirmed his role as the guardian of the House and said he would continue to act impartially in enforcing the parliamentary rules.
While stressing restrictions on speech, Sadiq also acknowledged that protest was a democratic right, but warned that it must be peaceful and legal.
“There is no room for arson, damage to life and property or vandalism,” he said, warning that the “use of sticks and weapons” poses a threat to the rule of law.
The remarks come just over a month after Senate Deputy Speaker Syedal Khan Nasar issued similar directions in the Upper House barring criticism of “national heroes” and political leadership.
Speaking amid dissent from the opposition benches, Nasar had said: “You cannot speak against political heroes who suffered martyrdom, went into exile, worked for the nation and the country, carried out nuclear tests and [the] atomic bomb”.
He later vowed to enforce the verdict and reiterated in an informal interaction with reporters that derogatory or disrespectful remarks against national heroes could not be tolerated in Parliament.
