National Assembly exits

ISLAMABAD - The National Assembly was dissolved on Saturday, paving way for installation of an interim government to oversee completion of a landmark democratic transition process through free and fair elections in the country.“In pursuance of Article 52 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the National Assembly stands dissolved on the expiration of its term of five years on the 16th day of March, 2013,” said a notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs here on Saturday. The dissolution of the federal legislature was pronounced under articles 52 and 62 of the 1973 Constitution. The five-year term of the National Assembly expired at midnight on Saturday, so under the constitutional provisions and the orders of the notification, the house and the federal cabinet ceased to exist. Earlier, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf held consultations with the four chief ministers of the provinces at a meeting as well as with Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Ch Nisar Ali Khan by telephone about the caretaker government. APP adds: The 13th National Assembly of Pakistan was sworn in on March 17, 2008, by the then Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain. A few days later, the election for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker was held.As a result of this election, the first woman Speaker of Muslim world Dr Fehmida Mirza had taken the seat and held elections for Deputy Speaker as the House had elected Faisal Karim Kundi, as her deputy. This was the first-ever democratically elected National Assembly of Pakistan that has completed its five years tenure successfully, paving way for strong democratic norms. Under the Constitution, the assembly automatically stands dissolved on completion of its tenure.