In a landmark session of the 14th National Assembly (NA), over 100 young, dynamic and new politicians are going to start their parliamentary career today (Saturday) in a session which would witness a strong and crowded treasury and a weak, meek and divided opposition.
Tight security arrangements have been put in place to thwart any terrorist bid.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the single largest party in the NA after the May 11 elections and has secured 144 out of the 272 seats following induction of 18 independent MNAs.
Factoring in the 32 reserved seats for women and the five seats for minorities, the ruling party’s strength in the Lower House of Parliament has reached over 180 seats. And with the addition of its allies in the Centre, the PML-N government may touch a magical figure of 192 in NA.
The PML-N’s strength in the Lower House would increase further since several parties have merged into it such as National People’s Party, People’s Muslim League, while the PML-F, PkMAP and National Party are expected to enter into an alliance with PML-N.
Besides PML-N, Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged a new force in the country’s parliamentary history with the strength of 35 NA members.
Though Khan is likely to miss today’s session, the party in all probability will catch media’s attention as 32 out of the 35 legislators are completely new faces in the House.
Other than Imran Khan, Javed Hashmi and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, all PTI members are first timers.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has emerged as the second largest party with 40 members and most of its senior leaders won polls from Sindh.
The session would begin at 10am and more than 330 members are likely to take oath and sign their rolls. The House will be adjourned for June 2, Sunday, when the nomination papers for the election of speaker and deputy speaker would be submitted while their election would be held on Monday through secret ballot.
On Tuesday, nomination papers would be accepted for the election of prime minister. On June 5, the new prime minister (PM) will be elected and would take oath the same evening.
The PML-N has formally nominated its chief Nawaz Sharif for the office of PM after the party moved towards a simple majority in the 342-member National Assembly. The PTI has nominated Javed Hashmi for the slot of PM.
NA Secretariat on this occasion has made special arrangements for facilitation of elected members by establishing special facilitation desks in the Parliament House, Parliament Lodges, Government Hostel and Benazir International Airport, Islamabad. Facilitation desks have started functioning since 29th May, 2013 and will continue till the conclusion of the session.
The desks established at the Parliament House are collecting bio-data and other information from MNAs besides preparing special identity cards for their family members and friends to facilitate their presence in the landmark session.
Elaborate security arrangements have almost been finalised for holding the inaugural session. The outgoing speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza would administer oath to new members.
Landmark 14th NA session today
