Govt to summon NA session on 29th to discuss Pak-Saudi defence pact

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to summon an important National Assembly session on September 29 (Monday) to discuss historic Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

A resolution to felicitate leadership of the two brotherly nations would also be deliberated before adoption.

The parliamentary sources told The News here Sunday evening that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would lead the National Assembly debate on the SMDA. The House would eulogies the role of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman for shaping the momentous document.

The National Assembly will pay tribute to the role played by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in making the historic accord possible.

The Parliament House would be illuminated with green lights representing national flags of two brotherly countries while envoys of the Muslim countries posted in Islamabad would be present in the distinguished visitors’ gallery of Parliament.

Speaker NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will convene meeting of the House Business Committee (HBC) for ensuring smooth transaction of business.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary and Law, Justice Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar are engaged in working out the arrangements for the session.

Meanwhile, sources pointed out that the SMDA would be ratified by the federal cabinet which will have its meeting soon after the return of the prime minister from four countries’ visit on Saturday next (September 27).