NA speaker directs PM to file response over conviction

National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza has directed Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to file a response regarding his conviction by the Supreme Court in the contempt of court case. According to a private TV channel, the speaker is likely to announce her decision on Gilani’s disqualification in about three days, and has asked the prime minister for his response in this regard. According to Article 63(2) of the constitution, the speaker is duty bound to decide on the prime minister’s disqualification within a period of 30 days. If she fails to do so, the reference would automatically be forwarded to the Election Commission.
The article reads: “If any question arises whether a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) has become disqualified from being a member, the speaker or, as the case may be, the chairman shall, unless he decides that no such question has arisen, refer the question to the Election Commission within 30 days and should he fail to do so within the aforesaid period, it shall be deemed to have been referred to the Election Commission.” “After receiving such a reference, there is a deadline of 30 days,” a National Assembly staff member was quoted by the channel as saying. Gilani’s fate as prime minister lies in the speaker’s hands, as she has about three days to decide on his disqualification. The government also has to file its appeal against the Supreme Court’s verdict before the deadline expires.