ISLAMABAD: Zahid Akram Durrani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUIF) today took oath as deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
Zahid Durrani was elected unopposed as no other candidate filed nomination papers against him. National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf took the oath.
NA’s deputy speaker position fell vacant after the resignation of PTI’s Qasim Suri.
Zahid Durrani is the son of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Akram Durrani. He was elected MNA from Bannu’s NA-35 constituency in the 2018 general elections.
He was supposed to take the oath Wednesday, however he didn’t as the session was adjourned after the members offered fateha for deceased Muttahida Qoumi Movement-Pakistan MNA Iqbal Muhammad Ali.
Ali passed away in Karachi Tuesday and as per the tradition, the house did not conduct any business and was adjourned till Thursday.
“As you know, it is tradition that the business of the house is not conducted with a sitting member passes away. Therefore, we adjourn today’s proceedings,” said National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
In his address to the session, Durrani thanked the members on his election. He added his party always fought for the supremacy of the constitution.
Referring to his predecessor, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Qasim Suri, Durrani said he violated the constitution.
Suri resigned from his post April 16 after the opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion against him in the assembly.
In a tweet, Suri shared a copy of his resignation, saying that his resignation is a symbol of his association with the vision of his party and democracy.
“We will never compromise on Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity. We will fight for the country’s interests and independence. We will go to any length to protect Pakistan,” he tweeted.
