ISLAMABAD, May 4: Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has accused the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Fehmida Mirza, of adopting a `partial attitude` and questioned the legal status of a resolution adopted by the house `in haste` to repose confidence in the convicted prime minister.

In a letter sent to the Speaker on Friday, Chaudhry Nisar said that under rules of procedure and conduct of business, a minister was required to give a three-day notice of his intention to move a resolution and submit a copy of the resolution. The speaker, however, can allow the moving of a resolution on a matter of urgent nature.

Chaudhry Nisar said that during proceedings of the house on Thursday, when PML-N members were protesting against the refusal of Mr Gilani to abide by the Supreme Court order, the minister for law and justice sought permission to move two resolutions.

The deputy speaker, who was in the chair at the time, allowed the minister to move the resolution without ascertaining the subject of resolution or if it was of an `urgent nature` Worse still, the letter said, the resolutions on such a serious issues was declared to have been passed by voice vote without discussion, whereas a large number of people were opposing the resolution and the `noes` were clearly louder than `ayes` `In such circumstances it is simply incredible that the deputy speaker was able to declare the resolutions to have been passed by voice vote.

The letter said it was clear from that the office of the speaker/deputy speaker had been used to favour the treasury benches.

`This is of particular concern keeping in view repeated assertions of Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani that he will only accept the decision of the Speaker as to his fate. The resolution said to have been passed by `such an open display of partisanship` cannot be deemed to reflect the genuine sense of the august house.

In particular, the resolution expressing the so-called support for Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was of no parliamentary, legal or moral value, at home or abroad.

Later, Chaudhry Nisar said at a press conference that the Speaker had started playing the role to save the government.