SAHIWAL: Every elected representative has the constitutional right to speak and present the concerns of the people in the parliament, but no member will be allowed to use the floor of the house to speak against the state, the judiciary or the armed forces of Pakistan.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said this on Wednesday while speaking to media persons after offering condolences to the family of late former MNA Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf at his residence in the Officers’ Colony here.
The speaker met the deceased leader’s son-in-law, Mian Ghaffarul Haq, and prayed for the departed soul.
Referring to the functioning of the parliament, Mr Sadiq said the National Assembly is committed to promoting democratic values and encouraging meaningful participation in the legislative process by both the treasury and the opposition benches.
He said the National Assembly is not a rubber stamp, but a vibrant democratic forum playing an effective role in strengthening democratic traditions, safeguarding parliamentary norms and ensuring representation for all political voices.
He said the opposition is being given an ample opportunity to express its views in the house, adding that speaking time has been increased from eight to thirteen hours on important occasions to ensure broader participation and to uphold the principles of fairness and parliamentary justice. He said it would be unfortunate if the opposition parliamentarians did not join parliamentary committees and contribute to these bodies.
“I want to be a non-controversial speaker,” Mr Sadiq said.
Commenting on recent political developments, Mr Sadiq dismissed the claims regarding any attempts being made to oust the government, saying such narratives are often promoted by individuals and groups that had failed to secure public support through the electoral process.
He stressed that democratic institutions must be strengthened through constitutional and parliamentary means.
Paying tribute to the late MNA, the speaker said Mr Ashraf stood firmly with PML-N leadership during the challenging times.
Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2026
