Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) dissident member of the National Assembly Raja Riaz was elected as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. Raja Riaz got 16 votes in his favour.

Raja Riaz earlier filed his nomination in the lower house of the parliament for the opposition leader slot. The application had been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat and as many as 17 MNAs had signed Raja Riaz’s nomination.

Before that, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani sought from the legislators names of the candidates for the election of the opposition leader in the House.

Members of the opposition in National Assembly have been directed to submit their nominations for the leader of the opposition to the speaker’s chamber by 3pm.

A parliamentarian from the opposition benches will be declared as the opposition leader who receives the vote of majority from other lawmakers.

As the House proceedings started, Zahid Durrani in an announcement said the signature-count of members of the National Assembly on the proposed nominations in their presence would be made at 4 pm today (Friday), following which the nominee, getting majority, would be announced as Leader of the Opposition.

Slot of the Leader of Opposition had fallen vacant after the success of no-confidence against prime minister on April 10 that led to the in-house change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yinsUdXd3AE

Did suo motu ever happen over steps of PTI govt, questions Javed Latif

While expressing his reservations over recent suo motu notice by the Supreme Court, Federal Minister Javed Latif said Friday while speaking in the National Assembly “when we say something, suo motu notice is taken”, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

He recalled the controversial steps that had been taken by the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and said, “One of the five officers of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) against Nawaz Sharif was made the director general of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), but not notice was taken.”

The federal minister added, “The inspector generals of police (IGPs) were changed frequently. Judges were changed through WhatsApp orders, but no notice was taken.”

“A treason case was registered against me. Rana Sanaullah was implicated in a fake drug case. Did the suo motu notice happen then?” he questioned.

“Doubts are being cast on a four-week government. When we say something, sup motu notice is taken,” he added.

NA passes Debt Limitation Bill

The National Assembly passed the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (FRLD) (Amendment) Bill, 2022 with majority vote after its clause by clause reading.

The bill was moved by Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha.

The bill is aimed at strengthening the debt office with the mandate and resources for effective planning and execution of debt management functions of the government.

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons: Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (FRDL) Act provides for reduction of federal fiscal deficit and ratio of public debt to gross domestic product to a prudent level by effective public debt management. The Debt Policy Coordination Office was also established under this Act.

Students witness NA proceeding

A group of students of postgraduate college Mansehra and National University of Modern Languages (NUMLs) on Friday visited the National Assembly and witnessed its proceedings.

Deputy Speaker National Assembly Zahid Akram Durrani announced their presence in the guests’ gallery; parliamentarians welcomed them by thumping the desk.

Reporter: Usman Khan