Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday formally appointed Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, according to a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat.
Copies of the notification have been forwarded to Senator Raja Nasir Abbas and all members of the Senate.
Following the development, Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, head of Majlis Wahdat-Al-Muslimeen, formally assumed the position in the house.
Senior government figures, including Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Sanaullah and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, congratulated him on his appointment.
Several other senators also extended their congratulations.
Sources said the decision was made after a careful review of Senate rules and procedures.
The office of the Leader of the Opposition had remained vacant following the disqualification of Senator Shibli Faraz of the PTI.
It is noteworthy that earlier, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had appointed Mahmood Khan Achakzai as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House.
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani stated that Senator Raja Nasir Abbas enjoys the support of 22 out of 32 opposition members in the Senate.
He added that the authority to declare the Leader of the Opposition rests with the Senate chairman.
The chairman further said that Senator Shibli Faraz was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan, a decision that was subsequently challenged in the Peshawar High Court.
He clarified that the delay in issuing the notification was due to judicial procedures, as the matter remained under consideration at the Senate Secretariat.
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