May 5, 2005	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1426

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LAHORE, May 4: The PML-N has decided to initiate a no-confidence motion against Punjab Assembly speaker Afzal Sahi for “failing to perform his constitutional responsibilities”. The decision was taken in a hurriedly-called meeting of the party’s parliamentary party here on Wednesday with Rana Sanaullah Khan in the chair.

The meeting condemned the speaker for his “partiality” and “un-constitutional” conduct by withholding the references filed against three PML-N defectors.

The no-trust notice has been drafted but has not yet been submitted to the assembly secretariat as under Rule 12 sub-rule 9 of the rules of business of the house the notice could be served only during a session.

However, a copy of the notice has been submitted to the assembly secretary with “the intent to move” the motion.

In the draft notice copies of which were distributed among reporters here on Wednesday, it was alleged that the speaker had failed to accomplish his constitutional responsibility and had acted against the Constitution by not processing under Clause 63-A the references filed against the MPAs who had crossed the floor.

It alleged that the speaker had insulted the house by indulging in “lotacracy” while he was also involved in nepotism, illegal recruitments and appointments, and getting undue privileges.

As the speaker had failed to maintain his impartiality in extremely important affairs, the no-trust motion was being served, it added.

Meanwhile, PML-N “parliamentary leader” Rana Sanaullah has submitted an attested copy of proceedings of the parliamentary party’s meetings held on March 28 and April 16 in which the decision to move against the defected members was taken and Rana Sana was authorized to do the needful.

Signatures of all 41 members of the parliamentary party had been attached with the document to satisfy the speaker on the Rana’s authority for filing the references.

Talking to Dawn, Rana Sana said they knew that for want of majority votes in the house the no-trust motion was doomed to fail. But it was being moved only to discuss the conduct of the speaker (in the house) as assembly rules did not allow any other method for the purpose.

“During a discussion on the motion we shall be able to take up partiality of the speaker, his alleged nepotism and other irregularities.”