Motion to Suspend Sheikh Waqas Akram’s Membership Presented in National Assembly Over Unexplained Absence

Islamabad: A motion has been presented in the National Assembly to suspend the membership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Sheikh Waqas Akram due to his prolonged unexplained absence. Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, informed the house that Sheikh Waqas Akram has been absent for the past 40 days without any prior notice.
According to parliamentary rules, any member can bring a motion to declare a seat vacant if the member has been absent for an extended period. The Speaker clarified that upon approval of the motion, the seat can be declared vacant.
In response, Pakistan Muslim League (N) member, Nosheen Iftikhar, quickly presented a motion arguing that due to Sheikh Waqas Akram’s continuous absence, his seat should be declared vacant.
Speaker Sadiq explained that according to parliamentary procedures, the motion must be presented for a vote in the house within seven days, with the assembly having the authority to defer, reject, or approve the motion.
The opposition raised concerns, questioning the attendance of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz, but the National Assembly Secretariat clarified that both leaders had submitted official leave applications, which were on record. In contrast, no such written notice or leave application has been received from Sheikh Waqas Akram.
According to assembly rules, even if a leave request from Sheikh Waqas Akram is received later, the motion presented by Nosheen Iftikhar will remain valid and will be decided upon based on the house’s opinion.
It is also notable that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared nine senators and National Assembly members from PTI ineligible. The list of disqualified members includes prominent figures such as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub, and several other PTI members, due to their involvement in the May 9 cases and subsequent court convictions.