Imran Khan party backed politician appointed opposition leader in Pakistan’s upper house

Key Highlights

• On Tuesday, a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat said: “In 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.” Senate chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani announced Abbas’ appointment as the opposition leader during the session of the Upper House.
• “I want to give a ruling.
• Before proceeding further, I consider it necessary to place on record the legal and procedural background relating to the declaration of the leader of the opposition in the Senate.
• “Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 mandates that the chairman Senate should declare as leader of the opposition the member who commands the support of the majority of the members in opposition,” he said.
• The MWM is a Shiite political party and Abbas is the only senator in the Senate.