Pakistan Peoples Party's Rabbani named Opp leader in Senate
Pakistan Times Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Chairman Monday appointed Mian Raza Rabbani, PPP-P Deputy Secretary General and leader of Democratic Alliance in the Senate, as Leader of the Opposition.

The decision, though widely expected in the political circles, came after a long wait of around two years during which the Senate operated without leader of the opposition.

However, Raza Rabbani, commanded the support of 22 Senators belonging to PPP-P, PML-N and Baloch nationalist parties.

Closest rivals, MMA, had the support of 20 members, according to the lists submitted to the Senate Chairman.

The decision also came after Rabbani called on Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro at his chamber last week. On his way out, Rabbani also ‘bumped into’ PML President Chaudhry Shujat for a brief chat in the lobby which he (Rabbani) described later as an accidental exchange of pleasantries.

During the meeting, reportedly, Mian Raza was told about the decision to appoint him as a leader of the opposition and the Senate chairman expressed the desire that the Opposition will cooperate in the smooth running of the House.

No Understanding with Govt: Babar

Though Raza Rabbani was not available for any comments, his party spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar ruled out anything like ‘understanding’ between the PPP-P and the government on the position of leader of the opposition.

“Belated though it may be but the decision is welcome,” said the PPP spokesman.

“The announcement should have been made a year earlier as the Democratic Alliance commanded the majority of Opposition members. All other parties of the Democratic Alliance will be taken on board,” said Babar.●