Will respond to usage of word ‘selected’ in NA after consultations: Zardari

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said that he would respond to the matter regarding usage of word ‘selected’ in the National Assembly after consultations with other members of the parliament. Responding to the ban on usage of ‘selected’ word for PM in parliament, Zardari said that members of the parliament would be engaged in a consultation on whether the deputy speaker could prohibit calling prime minister a “selected” one. The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) also sought explanation from the NA deputy speaker on the ruling of ban on usage of ‘selected’ word. On the other hand, PPP leader Nafeesa Shah has said that the word ‘selected’ is not non-parliamentary and illegal. She also asked Qasim Suri to explain the prohibition of usage this word his ruling or personal opinion. Treasury benches in the NA session today sought to move a privilege motion in the house. Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan on a point of order said that the prime minister being repeatedly referred in the house as ‘selected’. He said the prime minister is an elected representative and calling him as selected is breach of the privilege of the house. Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, who was presiding over the session at the time, in his ruling said that each member has arrived in the house with votes of the people. He said the representatives are themselves insulting the august house. He banned ‘selected’ word repeatedly used by the opposition members for the prime minister. “The members of the house should now avoid to use the word in the house,” the deputy speaker ruled.