Islamabad : PML-N’s Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has been elected the new National Assembly speaker after securing 199 votes out of a total of 291 votes cast.
After the counting of votes was complete, outgoing speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that a total of 291 votes were cast, out of which one was “invalid” and the rest declared “valid”.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq won the election to the office of National Assembly by securing 199 votes.
The candidate of Sunni Ittehad Council Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar bagged 91 votes.
After assuming the seat, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed his gratitude to the leaders and members of PML-N, PPP, MQM, PML (Q), IPP and Balochistan Awami Party for reposing confidence in him.
He assured he will take forward the proceedings of the house in accordance with the rules and regulations.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the members will be given full opportunity to express their opinion on the floor of the house.
He said the doors of his office will always remain open to all the members.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said difference of opinion and criticism is essence of democracy, stressing, however, that it should be directed towards reforms and betterment of the country.
The Speaker noted that the current political tension is not in the interest of the country, emphasizing the need for building national consensus and a joint strategy to address the problems faced by the country.
He said both the treasury and opposition members are part of this house and it will be his effort to take them along.
Amir Dogar, the candidate of Sunni Ittehad Council, felicitated the newly elected Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. He said it is a matter of distinction for Sardar Ayaz Sadiq that he has been elected for the third time.