PPP To Legally Oppose Ban On Word ‘Selected’ In National Assembly

ISLAMABAD: The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri banned the use of the word ‘selected’ to describe Prime Minister Imran Khan in a ruling on Sunday. The term is said to have been coined and popularized by Bilawal Bhutto after the recent national elections amid claims that they were rigged to favour the now ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari questioned the legitimacy of the ban, and said that his party will be consulting with lawyers to challenge this move. While having an informal discussion with reporters, he said parliamentarians must deliberate over whether the government even has the legitimate authority to impose such a ban, implying that it is an infringement on the right to freedom of expression.

PPP’s senator Sherry Rehman said the ban on the word selected was a testament to the Premier’s insecurity. She added that the ban only validates the implication that Imran Khan was handpicked for Pakistan’s highest office, and that if this wasn’t the case why is the term such cause for concern? She also pointed out what she referred to as inconsistency and hypocrisy on the prime minister’s part, as he used terms such as thieves and dacoits (dangerous armed robbers) to describe members of the opposition. Activists, journalists and other politicians joined in on the criticism of the move to ban the term.

The term #SelectedPM touches the repressed truths of our history. They include electoral engineering, manipulation of information, use of violence against opponents and extension of pardon to turncoats. Its not the govt but the entire infrastructure of power that feels exposed.

— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) June 24, 2019

Does the #SelectedPM realize that banning this term just proves the point about him being selected? Of course he doesn’t

— Ailia Zehra (@AiliaZehra) June 24, 2019

In opposition Imran delegitimised Parliament, Parliamentarians and all civilian structures and institutions while seeking to legitimise “umpire” and umpire’s agencies. Now in govt he is seeking to bar MPs from calling him selected PM. Selected can’t become elected by command.

— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) June 24, 2019

Earlier this year, PEMRA had sent out a notification advising news channels to abstain from using “funny memes” and animations to demean politicians and members of law enforcement agencies.