News Analysis |
Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and in-waiting Prime Minister, has nominated Qasim Khan Suri as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly on Monday. According to sources, the PTI chief chaired a party meeting after the swearing-in ceremony and nominated Qasim Soori to fill in the slot of National Assembly’s Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Suri hails from Balochistan, a relatively underdeveloped province of Pakistan, and he thanked the leadership of the PTI for nominating him for the said post. The party had already nominated Asad Qaiser for the spot of Speakership. The elections for the said posts will be held on Wednesday through secret ballot.
Imran Khan has not given any main post to the MPA and MNAs-elect of the region so far. It is still to be seen whether the PTI chief will look into the grievances of the people of South Punjab or not
The members of the 15th National Assembly took the oath of their office on Monday which was administered by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq. Talking to media in Islamabad, Qasim Suri while thanking PTI chairman Imran Khan for reposing trust in him said that the problems of Balochistan will be addressed on priority basis.
Moreover, “Prime Minister-designate Imran Khan hail from Punjab, the slot of National Assembly Speaker goes to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and deputy speaker has been chosen from Balochistan,” said the nominated NA speaker Mr. Asad Qaiser.
Read more: Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly are to be…
Suri, “A Good Choice”
Since Imran Khan’s PTI is being considered the only party which has representation from across the country, so the party is expected to address the grievances of all provinces. Balochistan has historically been marginalized throughout the history of Pakistan. Imran Khan’s focus on the province will help Pakistani federation to become strong. Professor Dr. Shahbaz Gill tweeted that “Qasim Soori is a good choice for deputy speaker. Very humble and composed person.”
Qasim Soori is a good choice for deputy speaker. Very humble and compose person
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) August 13, 2018
The PTI official also said that “PTI brought Senate Chairman from Balochistan, nominated NA Speaker is from KP and now Deputy Speaker from Balochistan. The feeling of deprivation of smaller provinces will end in #NayaPakistan. Qasim Khan Suri has been nominated as Deputy Speaker of National Assembly.”
PTI brought Senate Chairman from Balochistan, nominated NA Speaker is from KP and now Deputy Speaker from Balochistan. The feeling of deprivation of smaller provinces will end in #NayaPakistan. Qasim Khan Suri, has been nominated as Deputy Speaker of National Assembly#PTI pic.twitter.com/tB2g57sRRZ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 13, 2018
PTI’s Zartaj Gul Wazir also said the same thing on her twitter handle “Choice and nomination of my fellow #PTI parliamentarian @QasimKhanSuri for a position of Deputy Speaker is well-deserved. Not only is Qasim highly suitable for the esteemed slot, he hails from Balochistan a factor which will strengthen our federation and sends the right signals!”
Choice and nomination of my fellow #PTI parliamentarian @QasimKhanSuri for position of Deputy Speaker is well-deserved. Not only is Qasim highly suitable for the esteemed slot, he hails from Balochistan – a factor which will strengthen our federation and sends the right signals! pic.twitter.com/GHs1ldvubz
— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) August 13, 2018
But some analysts also point out that the party has so far ignored South Punjab. Interestingly, electable from South Punjab formed an alliance with PTI on the condition that the party will particularly focus on the region. South Punjab has historically been ignored by the governments sitting in Lahore. Imran Khan has not given any main post to the MPA and MNAs-elect of the region so far. It is still to be seen whether the PTI chief will look into the grievances of the people of South Punjab or not.