Pakistan Views

Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza on Wednesday hoped that members from both treasury and opposition benches would jointly work for the supremacy of Parliament and resolve challenges confronted by the country.”The country is facing challenges of price hike, extremism, terrorism, law and order, electricity crisis, scarcity of water and the law maker should discuss these issues and provide relief to the people,” she said in her first press conference as Speaker of the National Assembly in the Parliament House here.She said, the education, health and agriculture sectors are apparently declining adding, the responsibility lies on the House and the media to play a positive role and guide the nation to the right direction.The Speaker, first ever in the Muslim countries, said it is requirement of the current situation that all the institutions work together.”We all have to work for strengthening of the democracy and welfare of the people,” she added.Commenting on her election, she paid rich tributes to martyred Benazir and said she wanted to give the women a proper place in the society.
Responding to a question regarding restoration of judiciary through a resolution, she said the members would decide about the resolution adding, “My duty is to facilitate them.”
About government’s foreign policy and war on terrorism, she said this is a transition phase and the government would be asked to bring all the issues in the Parliament for discussion and decision.Regarding her role for sovereignty of the House, the Speaker vowed to rise above party affiliation saying, “I would treat both the treasury and opposition benches in a same manner.”The Speaker said that decision about the Leader of Opposition and Chairman Public Accounts Committee would be taken as early as possible. To another question, she said, “I would propose to the new government to asses and remove hurdles on the way of media by repealing controversial legislation.”
About lack of quorum, Fehmida said, “I would ask the government and opposition to make sure that the quorum is in order in the House.” She said that issue of the cases against members of the Assembly would be tackled in accordance with the rules.Regarding courtesy meeting with the President, she said, “I will act according to the requirement of the chair.”The Speaker said the session of the National Assembly could be summoned on a requisition for the election of the prime minister.She said the members of the Assembly took oath under the Constitution. To another question, the newly elected Speaker said that she would work to harmonize conflicting institutions.About permission of private television channels cameras for coverage of Assembly proceedings, she said the security is involved in this matter and added, a committee comprising the members and representatives of the journalists would discuss the issue and remove the hurdles.When asked about some amendments in the Constitution, she said it is duty of the Speaker to facilitate the members.