ISLAMABAD  - In the face of growing criticism from opposition parties, Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif would likely attend the eight setting of the National Assembly starting here today (Monday).
Sources in the Pakistan People’s Party confirmed to The Nation that after consultation with other opposition parties they would definitely take up the continuous absence of prime minister from the house proceedings.
Sources in opposition further said that after evolving consensus on the matter a formal case under Article 64 of the constitution would be moved against prime minister for abstaining the National Assembly sessions without getting formal approval for it from Speaker National Assembly.
According to clause two of Article 64, a member could lose his seat in case he remains absent from the house without securing proper leave from the Speaker National Assembly for 40 consecutive days.
Article 64 of the constitution reads;
 1-A Member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker or, as the case may be, the Chairman resign his seat, and thereupon his seat shall become vacant.
2-A House may declare the seat of a member vacant if, without leave of the House, he remains absent for forty consecutive days of its sittings.
Federal Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rasheed commenting on the situation had said that Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif was not attending the NA sessions due to his other pressing engagements and criticised the opposition for making non-issue an issue.
Sources in the ruling PML-N said that in the face of growing criticism Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif would likely attend the National Assembly session starting today (Monday).
To a question about his absence without leave and the Opposition’s plan to move a case against him under Article 64, sources in the party smilingly said that prime minister is a law abiding citizen and could not even think of the National Assembly’s statutes.