Ayaz Sadiq hints at return to NA Speaker's seat

LAHORE: A day after winning by-elections in NA-122 Lahore, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq hinted at his likely return to the seat of the National Assembly Speaker.

Sadiq was de-seated by an election tribunal in august after it nullified his election from NA-122 in the 2013 general elections and ordered a re-election in the constituency. But Sadiq defeated Tehreek-e-Insaf's Aleem Khan by a close margin in the by-election on Sunday, receiving 74,525 votes as compared to 72,082 votes received by the PTI candidate.

Although neither Sadiq nor party officials have yet confirmed his return to the Lower House of Parliament as its Speaker, the PML-N leader hinted today that he may be National Assembly chairing proceedings in the future as well.

"I think I am fortunate that the people of NA-122 and PML-N workers supported me and helped me in succeeding fromt he NA-122 seat. This means that, not only will I have to fulfill my responsibilities as (National Assembly) Speaker, but also some extra responsibilities here (in this constituency)," he said while speaking to Geo News.

When asked explicitly if he would be made the NA Speaker again, Sadiq said that it was up to the party and its leadership to decide.

There is no personal (wish) of mine that the Speakership should only be for me. There are better MNAs than me – people who are more educated, hardworking, better in every aspect than me.

"I have just achieved what I could as an ordinary MNA," he said, saying that he would respect the party's decision.

Sadiq claimed that he had achieved victory not just against PTI candidate Aleem Khan but also against the party's chairman Imran Khan.

"With the campaign that Imran Khan led for 7-8 days, it was pretty evident that he was a candidate."