PM nominates Ayaz Sadiq as PML-N candidate for NA Speaker

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has nominated Sardar Ayaz Sadiq as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate for Speaker National Assembly slot.

The newly elected PML-N MNA held a meeting with PM Nawaz in Jati Umra, Raiwand on Saturday, where they exchanged views on election of Speaker NA, scheduled on Monday.

The nomination papers will be filed tomorrow (Sunday).

PML-N Sources said, besides strategy for election of NA speaker, PM Nawaz and Ayaz Sadiq also discussed party matters and prevailing situation in the country.

In the meeting, the Premier also lauded services of Ayaz Sadiq for strengthening democracy and promoting democratic norms and traditions.

PM Nawaz also expressed hope that Sadiq will maintain parliamentary standards in the future.

Former Speaker of the NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq along with Dr Shazia Soomro, Riazul Haq Juj and Babar Nawaz Khan Khan were sworn in as Members of the National Assembly on Friday.

Sadiq was re-elected from the NA-122 seat after defeating Aleem Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the by-election held on Oct 11.

The PTI has also announced to contest for the speakership and has nominated Shafqat Mahmood for the post.

Meanwhile, senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah has said that the party will not field any candidate to contest the election of the Speaker if the PML-N nominates Sadiq as its candidate.

According to the sources, the PML-N has the support of majority of the parliamentary parties and its nominated candidate is expected to be re-elected as National Assembly Speaker.