ISLAMABAD
\nSenate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday notified Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief and PTI-backed Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as the opposition leader in the upper house of parliament. \u201cIn pursuance of sub-rule (3) of Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, the chairman Senate has been pleased to declare Senator Raja Nasir Abbas as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, with immediate effect,\u201d said a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat.
\nThe post has been lying vacant since August last year, when the then-opposition leader in the upper house of the parliament, Shibli Faraz, was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following his conviction in cases related to riots on May 9, 2023. The development came a week after Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai was appointed leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
\nSpeaking on the floor of the upper house after his notification, Raja Nasir reaffirmed his loyalty to jailed PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and said he would uphold principles without compromise. The Senate opposition leader called on politicians and parliamentarians to focus on the needs of ordinary citizens rather than elite interests.
\nHe highlighted the struggles of people who lack funds for medicine, electricity, and their children\u2019s education, stressing that the country\u2019s governance should prioritise public welfare. He urged lawmakers to enact laws and policies that directly benefit the people. Raja Nasir called for freedom of expression, urging authorities to allow people to speak without fear. The opposition leader said resolving the political crisis required the release of the PTI founding chairman, adding that parliament should raise its voice for the release of political prisoners.
\nSpeaking on the Senate floor, Rana Sanaullah congratulated Allama Raja Nasir Abbas on his appointment as Leader of the Opposition and called for collective efforts to strengthen the political system. \u201cI congratulate Allama Sahib on becoming the opposition leader and hope he will uphold the highest traditions of this House,\u201d Sanaullah said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday notified Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief and PTI-backed Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as the opposition leader in the upper house of parliament. \u201cIn pursuance of sub-rule (3) of Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, the chairman Senate has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-526731","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n