Production orders of arrested members: government seeks to amend NA rules of business

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is likely to present an amendment to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 2007 regarding issuance of production orders for arrested members of the House in the coming session of the National Assembly. According to sources, the amendment would be very short as Rule 108 shall be omitted from the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 2007.
The Rule 108 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly says: "Production of members in custody for a sitting of the Assembly or meeting of Committee.- (1) The Speaker or Chairman of a Committee may summon a member in custody on the charge of a non-bailable offence to attend a sitting or sittings of the Assembly or meeting of a Committee of which he is a member, if he considers his presence necessary.
"(2) On a Production Order, signed by the secretary or by any other officer authorised in this behalf, addressed to the government of the province where the member is held in custody, or to the authority concerned, the provincial government or such authority shall cause the member in custody to be produced before the sergeant-at-arms, who shall, after the conclusion of the sitting or the meeting, deliver the member into custody of the provincial government or other authority concerned."
During the federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday last, Prime Minister Imran Khan had recommended amending the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in National Assembly (NA) regarding the issuance of the production orders of members of the Assembly. All ministers unanimously agreed to the Premier's recommendation that there shouldn't be any production orders of members who are involved in corruption cases.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had submitted a requisition on July 2, 2019 in National Assembly secretariat to summon the National Assembly session.
Under the Constitution, the speaker is bound to summon the National Assembly session within 14 days of the receipt of the requisition notice. Since the requisition has been moved on July 2, Speaker Asad Qaiser will have to summon the session by July 16.