Islamabad; April 14, 2014: In an historic event, honourable Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq hosted five of his predecessor held in honour of distinguished delegates of the 17th Conference.

The event was attended by the Deputy Chairman Senate, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, all Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the four provincial assembly except Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan were present as observers. Senior Official of all national, provincial and regional legislatures were also present.

The former speakers shared their valuable experience and memories with the audience. The highlight, was the presence of Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, former Prime Minister and Speaker from 1993-1996, Syed Fakhar Imam (1985-1986), Mr. Illahi Bukhsh Soomro (1997-1996), Ch. Amir Hussain (2002-2007) and Dr. Fehmida Mirza (2008-2013). Speaker Ayaz Sadiq paid rich tributes to the services and acumen of all his predecessors and called them “legends”. On his request, the audience gave a standing ovation to the former Speakers.

While recalling his days as Speaker, Syed Yousuf Raza said tolerance by the government of the day was essential for the growth of parliamentary traditions and principles. In this regard, he referred to the issuance of production orders by him for the imprisoned Members under Rule 90 of the then Rules of Business (now Rule 108) . This, Mr. Gillani, recalled was initially resisted by the then Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto however on the persistence of the Speaker, she had to comply with the orders. This set the principle which later benefitted all, including Mohtarma and her spouse Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, when he was in prison.

Syed Fakhar Imam, who was elected Speaker by the 1985 National Assembly, recalled his unexpected election by the Non-Party House and his famous Ruling, which forced the then military dictator to lift the Marshal Law on January 1, 1986.  Mr. Imam was taken by a pleasant surprise when he was informed by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq that this Ruling, along-with all the Rulings from 1947 to 1997 had been compiled and published as a book while 90% work had already been carried out in compiling the rest till today, which would shortly go into print.

Chaudhary Amir Hussain, who served as the Speaker during the presidency of former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharaf, reminded the gathering that while all other Speakers had served in democratic regimes, he had to face difficult times as during his tenure, there were “more than one centres of power” and the Speaker had to play the balancing role among them. This had brought immense pressure on him, especially from the Opposition in the House. He, nevertheless, lauded the Opposition’s role, which had shown respect and grace to the Chair despite numerous showdowns.

Dr. Fehmida Mirza, the first woman Speaker of Pakistan and the Muslim World, recalled her famous ruling on the question of the disqualification of the sitting Prime Minister as Member of the House.  She said that while dictating this Ruling she had extensively consulted noted jurists and numerous court decisions. It was her opinion that the office of the Speaker was not a “mere post office” and the Speaker had to “apply his mind”. The Ruling, therefore, should have been treated as the “final word”, in accordance with the “spirit of the law and constitution.”

The occasion was cherished by all, who praised Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s suggestion of inviting and involving the inputs of the former Speakers in the Speakers Conference on permanent and institutional basis.