Former NA Speaker Decries KP Assembly Speaker’s Refusal To Administer Oath

Faizan Hashmi Published July 20, 2025 | 08:10 PM

HAVELIAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2025) Former Speaker of the National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi has strongly condemned what he termed as an "unconstitutional and regrettable" act by the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, who refused to administer the oath to newly elected members of the provincial legislature.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the former Speaker expressed deep disappointment, stating that the Speaker’s refusal to perform this constitutionally mandated duty constitutes a clear deviation from the law and democratic norms.

Quoting Articles 65 and 127 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, he emphasized that it is compulsory for every elected member of an assembly to take an oath before formally assuming office. The oath must be administered by the Speaker or an authority designated by them. “The Speaker’s reluctance not only sets an unconstitutional precedent but also undermines democratic traditions,” he said.

He further noted that the affirmation or oath-taking by the Speaker is a clear constitutional requirement and any refusal to comply must be treated as a serious constitutional violation. “If the Speaker himself fails to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities, it will gravely damage institutional balance and erode public trust in democratic institutions,” he warned.

The former Speaker added that such actions harm the credibility of the assembly and raise questions about the legitimacy of the people’s right to representation. He called on the Election Commission of Pakistan and other relevant institutions to take immediate notice of the situation to ensure the sanctity and transparency of the democratic process and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution.