Pakistan’s newly-elected Parliament today voted an ally of Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan as the Speaker of its Lower House, kicking off the process of transition and handing over powers to the new government.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) Asad Qaiser was sworn in as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Parliament’s Lower House. Qaiser, the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly speaker, defeated Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) stalwart Syed Khursheed Shah, who was fielded by the joint opposition alliance.
Outgoing Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath to Qaiser. The new Speaker will oversee the election of his deputy. He will supervise the election process of the Prime Minister.
