Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed lawmaker Omer Ayub Khan strongly objected to the oath-taking of Members National Assembly (MNAs) on reserved seats, denouncing it as “unconstitutional.” This protest arose as newly elected lawmakers on reserved seats in the National Assembly were sworn in amid chaos and slogans from PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers.
Omer Ayub Khan, designated by Imran Khan as the opposition leader, declared the oath-taking “illegal” with no legal standing. He raised concerns about the rule of law, emphasizing that the country cannot function under such a system.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has extended the stay order on the oath-taking ceremony for lawmakers denied to PTI-backed SIC until March 13. PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan informed the speaker about the PHC’s stay order, asserting that reserved seats for his party could not be allocated to others.
The speaker, Ayaz Sadiq, clarified that no orders from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) or the court regarding the oath-taking of MNAs on reserved seats had been received by the lower house of the parliament. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan stated that the PHC’s decision applies only to representatives from the province and does not include Sindh and Balochistan.
In a separate development during the session, the National Assembly passed a resolution honoring Benazir Bhutto on International Women’s Day. The resolution, moved by Sehar Kamran, praised Benazir Bhutto for her dedication to democracy, women’s empowerment, human rights, social justice, and an equitable society. The resolution pledged to uphold her legacy by advocating for policies that empower women, provide equal opportunities, and eliminate gender discrimination.
Acknowledging women’s potential and contributions in all spheres of life, the resolution emphasized the need for continuous efforts to remove barriers hindering women’s progress. It called upon the government and private sector to invest more in women, enabling them to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s progress and development.
