KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Awais Qadir Shah was sworn in as the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly on Sunday, while Anthony Naveed became the Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly after a majority of legislators voted in their favour.
Qadir Shah won the post after securing 111 votes while his opponent, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Sofia Saeed could only get 36 votes.
After his election, the new speaker Qadir Shah administered the oath of office to the outgoing speaker Agha Siraj Durrani.
Meanwhile, Naveed secured 111 votes against MQM-P’s Rashid Khan who managed to get only 36 votes. Naveed was then sworn in as the deputy speaker in the oath-taking ceremony administered by Qadir Shah.
Today’s session began with a short delay, after which some members of the provincial assembly took the oath.
However, members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) boycotted the election of a new speaker and MP by abstaining from voting.
Before voting on the speaker, outgoing speaker Durrani briefed the members on the voting process.
Gathering to make it work at its best: Qadir Shah
After his victory, Shah thanked PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur for their support.
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“It is an honor for me to be elected as the assembly speaker from Sukkur for the first time,” he said.
He urged the lawmakers to forget the past and usher in a new era and ensure that all members are treated equally.
“My only request is that if we follow the rules, then God will make this house work in the best possible way,” he added. He also expressed hope that the house will meet the expectations of the public.
Durrani urged the elected MPAs to ‘protect’ the House
Before handing over the charge to Qadir Shah, Durrani congratulated the new Custodian and Deputy Custodian of the House and thanked PPP leaders Faryal Talpur and Azra Fazal Pechuha for their support.
He then urged all the newly elected MPAs to protect the House.
Meanwhile, PPP’s Chief Minister nominee Murad Ali Shah said he expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of the elections for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and congratulated the newly elected.
He then praised Durrani for serving 10 consecutive years in the post. He also advised Qadir Shah and Naveed to learn from Durrani and former vice president Rehana Leghari.
The Sindh Assembly session was then adjourned till 2:00 PM on Monday.
