PESHAWAR, Mar 30 (APP):The session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was held on Monday with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati in the chair, where the opposition strongly criticized a notification issued by the Chief Secretary granting provincial minister status to Adviser on Finance Muzzammil Aslam. The opposition termed the notification unconstitutional and argued that assuming the office of a provincial minister requires taking an oath, and any actions taken without fulfilling …
Opposition questions status of finance adviser in KP Assembly
PESHAWAR, Mar 30 (APP):The session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was held on Monday with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati in the chair, where the opposition strongly criticized a notification issued by the Chief Secretary granting provincial minister status to Adviser on Finance Muzzammil Aslam.
The opposition termed the notification unconstitutional and argued that assuming the office of a provincial minister requires taking an oath, and any actions taken without fulfilling this requirement hold no constitutional validity.
Raising the issue on a point of order, PPP parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi questioned the legality of the March 7 notification, stating that under constitutional provisions, the appointment of a provincial minister is made on the advice of the Chief Minister and requires oath-taking administered by the Governor.
Responding to the concerns, Law Minister Aftab Alam clarified that Muzzammil Aslam continues to serve as an adviser, adding that under recent constitutional provisions, advisers could be appointed and certain powers might be exercised accordingly.
He said the notification issued by the Chief Secretary would be verified to determine its legal standing.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati directed the Law Minister to seek clarification from the Chief Secretary and present it before the House by the next session, adding that the matter could also involve a clerical error.
Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah criticized the government’s handling of the issue, questioning how governance could proceed amid such ambiguity.
The Speaker, however, maintained that whether as an adviser or a minister, Muzzammil Aslam could represent the government in the House, while reiterating the need for clarity on the constitutional position.
