ISLAMABAD: The Lower House of parliament on Tuesday rejected a bill purposing to fill the vacancy of the office of prime minister caused by death, resignation or removal through the National Assembly speaker. A bill in this regard was moved by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) lawmaker Naeema Kishwer Khan to amend the article 91 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which deals with the Cabinet. While reasoning his purposed amendment, the lawmaker was of the view that the Constitution of Pakistan provides procedure for the election of the Prime Minister after every general election is held while it also provides how a Prime Minister may resign from his office. But it is silent on how to fill a vacancy of the office caused by death, resignation or removal. The bill purposed to add a new clause 8 (A) in the article 91 of the constitution to remove the said lacuna to avoid uncertainty likely to be caused due to vacancy in the office of the Prime Minister. “If the office of the Prime Minister becomes vacant by death, resignation or removal, the Muslim speaker of the National Assembly shall act as the Prime Minister until the Prime Minister is elected in terms of clause (4) during the session of the National Assembly to be held not later than seven days from the occurrence of the vacancy, Deputy Speaker holding charge of the Acting Speaker”, the clause purposed to include reads.
It is also provided in this clause that the cabinet shall continue to function under the Muslim Speaker as its head until the election for Prime Minister.
However, the same bill was opposed by the government side and the National Assembly rejected it when it was presented before the house for leave to introduce.
The proceeding of the house was adjourned due to lack of quorum, which was pointed out by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Shahryar Afridi. The house will meet again on Wednesday.
Published in Daily Times, January 17th 2018.
