National Assembly to elect new Speaker today

ISLAMABAD: A session of the National Assembly has been convened for Monday to elect Speaker of the house.

According to Radio Pakistan, those who have filed nomination papers are Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of PML-N, Shafqat Mahmood of PTI and Ghazi Gulab Jamal from FATA.

However, Ghazi Gulab Jamal later withdrew in favour of PML-N nominee. He made the announcement during his meeting with Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Islamabad on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Ghazi Gulab Jamal expressed the hope that the government will resolve issues pertaining to FATA.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the government has formed a five-member committee headed by Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for reforms in FATA. The other members include, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch, Prime Minister's Advisor on National Security Nasir Janjua, and MNA Zahid Hamid.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid has said that contesting election for the Speakership is Shafqat Mehmood's constitutional right.

He said a general consensus is found on the name of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, which is a moral, legal, and democratic triumph of PML-N candidate.

Jamaat-e-Islami has decided to vote for PML-N candidate Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Sahibzada Tariqullah assured his party's support during a meeting with Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Islamabad today.