Web Desk (August 13, 2018): As many as eight national assembly seats were vacated by the parliamentarians who were elected on multiple national assembly seats in July 25 polls, confirmed Election Commission of Pakistan.
A notification issued by the commission on August 11 directed the federal legislators to retain one seat as per Article 223 (3) of the Constitution.
The elected members tendered resignation on their additional won seat/seats before taking the oath of membership for the assemblies today.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan vacated NA-53 (Islamabad), NA-35 (Bannu), NA-131 (Lahore) and NA-243 (Karachi).
PTI’s Ghulam Sarwar Khan took oath from NA-59 and resigned from NA-63 while Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s Chaudry Pervaiz Elahi resigned from NA-65 and NA-69 and retained PP-30.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Hamza Shehbaz resigned from NA-124 while Shehbaz Sharif withdrew from PP-164 and PP-165.
PTI’s Ali Amin Gandapur resigned from PK-97, ANP’s Ameer Haider Hoti from PK-53 and Pervaiz Khattak from PK-61 and PK-64.
Earlier, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday accepted the resignations of members of National and Provincial assemblies who were declared victorious in more than one constituency during General Elections 2018.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday alloted seats reserved for women and minorities, raising the total number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seats in the national assembly to 158.
Following the allottement, the PTI has now been allotted as many as 28 reserved women and five minority seats in the national assembly, taking its total seats to 158.
It is followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 82 seats as the party will get two minority seats and 16 women seats and Pakistan Peoples Party is on third number with 53 seats as the party will get two seats reserved for minorities and nine reserved for women.
Earlier today, newly elected members of the National Assembly took the oath of their office.
Outgoing Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who presided over the first session of the 15th National Assembly, administered the oath to the newly elected members of parliament.
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The national anthem was played at the opening of the session, which was followed by recitation of Holy Quran.
PTI chairman and prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif were among those who took the oath.
Mr Bhutto-Zardari took the oath as member of parliament for the first time, whereas his father returned to the house after more than two decades.
PM To Be elected On August 17
The election of the Prime Minister is conditional on the submission of their nomination papers on August 16, if it is done as per schedule, would pave way for the process to be completed by the evening on the same day. Otherwise, the election will be held on the morning of August 17.
The Prime Minister-elect’s oath-taking ceremony is slated for August 18, at the President House.
Once the allotment of general seats was finalised, those reserved for women and minorities were also allocated to the political parties.
PTI Leading with 158 Seats In National Assembly
Leading the race with the most number of MNA-elects is the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with 158 seats (125 general, 28 women and five minorities).
However, candidates with dual nationalities are required to leave their seats which would reduce the tally for the Imran Khan-led PTI, leaving them to rely on support from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s seven members, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s five, Balochistan Awami Party’s five, and Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s four members.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is in second place with a total of 82 seats, after winning 64 general seats, two minority seats and 16 women seats.
The Pakistan Peoples Party is at a distant third with a total of 53 seats, with 42 general seats, two seats reserved for minorities, and nine reserved for women.
Security Arrangements Tightened
From Bani Gala to the Parliament House, security arrangements have been finalised, authorities and sources confirmed, while additional measures will also be implemented for the first session of the 15th NA.
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According to sources, the security in the district, including the red zone areas, will be on “red alert” — or high alert — in light of the NA session, and only people with special passes will be allowed into the Parliament.
Police and Rangers have been deployed as per the stricter security measures for the day. No random person would be let into the red zone.
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