The newly-elected members of the National Assembly were sworn in as lawmakers on Thursday amidst protests by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) against alleged election rigging.
The National Assembly’s inaugural session commenced over an hour later than scheduled on Thursday. As the speaker began speaking, members of the Sunni Ittehad Council protested and chanted slogans.
The SIC, which now includes a significant number of independent candidates supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), protested while Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf administered the oath of office to the newly elected MNAs.
Tightened Security Ahead of the session, the capital city administration increased security in the Red Zone of Islamabad. Entry to Parliament and the Constitutional Avenue was restricted to unrelated staff, with a heavy police presence at all entry points.
This decision followed the Sunni Ittehad Council’s announcement of protests against alleged election rigging, both inside and outside Parliament.
Sources indicated that lawmakers from the ruling alliance would prevent opposition MNAs from approaching the speaker’s dais.
Eleventh Hour NA Session Summoned by Alvi President Arif Alvi called for a National Assembly session on Thursday to elect the House’s custodian and deputy speaker, hours after the outgoing speaker had convened the session.
In a statement, the president asserted that returning the summary for a National Assembly session was “in accordance with Article 48(1)” of the Constitution.
The maiden session of the lower house was scheduled to begin at 10 am, as reported by Radio Pakistan. Newly elected representatives were to take their oaths during the session.
Alvi defended his actions, stating that summoning the session was aimed at fulfilling the National Assembly’s requirements in line with Article 51 of the Constitution. He rejected accusations of partisan behavior, emphasizing the need for a peaceful, fair, and transparent electoral process.
Alvi expressed disappointment over the tone of language used in a summary sent by the caretaker prime minister, noting that such language was unacceptable and lacked substance.
