ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Tuesday took an exception to a statement of an Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge against the parliament saying such remarks were not acceptable. Giving a ruling during the National Assembly session, Ayaz noted that according to the media reports, an honourable judge of the Islamabad High Court had stated that parliament along with executive and judiciary had collapsed.
“Nobody has the right to give a statement about the parliament, as it is the prerogative of parliamentarians, not of anyone outside the House,” he said in a strong-worded ruling.
Ayaz firmly said no one had the right to degrade and compromise the dignity of parliament and reiterated that both the executive and judiciary were essential pillars of the state, and such uncalled-for remarks tantamount to attacking parliament. He emphasized the need for upholding the dignity and respect of parliament, asserting that it must remain free from any form of degradation or compromise.
“I hope the remarks of the judge are not true, and if it is true, then convey to the judge that it is not acceptable,” said the speaker and also asked the PTI leadership and members to stop staging the drama of calling the parliament as fake. “The parliament of 2018 was not fake but according to them the parliaments of 2013 and 2024 are fake. Such remarks from the opposition are not acceptable, as it is a direct attack on parliament,” Ayaz said.
“They call parliament as fake when they are not in the government,” the speaker said, adding that those calling the parliament as fake and boycotted its proceedings also returned to the House and also received allowances and salaries.
In response to the earlier remarks of the Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, Ayaz said he had already written letters to the opposition and treasury to give names of members for the committee for nomination of the new chief election commissioner.
Earlier speaking on a point of order, the opposition leader said the government had given extension to the chief election commissioner (CEC) who should have been booked under Article 6 of the Constitution and two members for an unlimited period saying he had suggested that the process be started for appointment of the new chief election commissioner.
He said General Bajwa intervened to stop the use of EVMs in February 8 elections because the installation of form 47 government then was not possible.
He said the Punjab police raided the house of PTI MNA Aneeqa Bhatti, arrested her brother and her family’s land is still surrounded by the police. He said the police also raided the house of PTI MNAs including Ahmad Chattha, Mobin Jutt and Osama Mela.
Ayaz expunged some ‘unparliamentary’ words of the opposition leader which he used for the MNAs sitting on the treasury benches.
“These words will be expunged and will not be telecast live,” the speaker told the government members who registered a strong protest against the language used by the opposition leader.
The opposition leader also accused that the government was forcing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to make compromises on the Cholistan Canal Project, Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 and Digital Pakistan Act, 2025.
He also supported the activities of Mahrang Baloch and her comrades saying he appreciated them. He said the provincial government imposed Section 144 whenever Mahrang Baloch gave a call. He said dialogue with the government was not possible in the present circumstance. PMLN senator and Chairman Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate Irfan Siddiqui in a statement on ‘X’, said even before the 26th Amendment and the recent transfer and appointments of judges, the judiciary ranked 130th out of 142 countries globally and fifth out of six countries in the region. He asserted that the judiciary itself was responsible for this standing adding that the pillar of parliament was now much stronger than in the past, while the executive was fulfilling its responsibilities with full commitment. Reiterating his point, he emphasised that if any institution found itself standing on an unstable foundation, the fault likely lay with it.