Pakistan National Assembly Deputy Speaker resigns before no-trust motion against him

Qasim Khan Suri resigned as deputy speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly on Saturday, less than an hour before a session of House where voting on a -trust motion against him was to take place for favouring previous government led by Imran Khan.

Suri from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party h been functioning as acting speaker following resignation of Speaker As Qaiser, who resigned on April 9 stating that he cant hold a vote of -confidence against Khan.

Sharing a copy of his resignation on Twitter, Suri said his move signified his association with vision of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and democracy.

"We will never compromise on Pakistan's sovereignty and integrity. We will fight for country's interests and independence. We will go to any length to protect Pakistan," 53-year-old politician tweeted.

Following Suri's resignation, -confidence motion holds value, while newly-elected speaker will decide on wher to accept resignation or t, Geo TV reported.

Suri faced severe criticism in recent days over a contentious April 3 ruling to dismiss a -confidence motion against former prime minister Khan and his decision to defer session scheduled for NA speaker's election from April 16 to April 22.

Just before election of Shehbaz Sharif as new prime minister of Pakistan on April 11, ousted prime minister Imran Khan's party lawmakers decided to resign from National Assembly.

Khan's PTI on Thursday anunced that Suri h accepted resignations of 123 lawmakers and National Assembly (NA) Secretariat h also issued a tification on issue.

PPP and PML-N alleged that Suri h put pressure on National Assembly Secre­tariat to accept resignations.

In line with National Assembly rules, immediately after election of Speaker, Assembly shall proceed to elect a Deputy Speaker and once elected, he will take oath before assembly before entering office.

Shahida Akhtar Ali of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, ar coalition partner, is said to be among front runners for deputy speaker's post.