Ayaz Sadiq says there is 'realisation' in govt about NA's lack of quorum, hopeful situation will improve

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq voiced optimism on Tuesday, stating there is a "realization" among government members regarding the persistent lack of quorum in the House. He believes the situation is poised to improve.

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No PPP, no quorum, simple.

Recent parliamentary sessions have been significantly hampered by low attendance, stemming from a notable rift between the ruling PML-N and its key ally, the PPP. This discord primarily centers on the recent elections held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Sharmila Farooqui of the PPP explicitly stated on X, "No PPP, no quorum, simple," later elaborating that the party would cease cooperation on quorum and legislation until their concerns about the AJK polls were addressed.

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Some ministers told me that the matter was taken up with the prime minister sahib yesterday [...] The prime minister has taken notice, and the ministers will also ensure quorum.

Responding to media inquiries in Islamabad, Sadiq revealed that ministers had informed him of discussions with the prime minister on the matter. "The prime minister has taken notice, and the ministers will also ensure quorum," he said, expressing confidence in increased lawmaker attendance. He emphasized that maintaining quorum is a shared responsibility of both the government and the opposition, urging all members to utilize Parliament for constituency issues rather than abandoning it, which he described as a collective loss.

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It is their (opposition’s) constitutional right, and we will facilitate it should they want to move such a motion. We will see when the time comes.

When questioned about potential no-confidence motions against him, Sadiq affirmed it was the opposition's constitutional right, which would be facilitated. He also touched upon ongoing efforts to engage the opposition in dialogue, noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Adviser Rana Sanaullah, had made repeated attempts to bridge the divide. "I am tired of saying this," Sadiq remarked, questioning how many more times the same requests could be made.

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I am tired of saying this. If they want to come, they will come. We can request the government as well, but how many times can we say the same thing?