Senate: Allama Raja Nasir Abbas appointed leader of opposition

WEB DESK: The Chairman of the Senate has officially appointed Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as the new Leader of the Opposition in the upper house of Parliament. The appointment followed a review of Senate rules and regulations, ensuring the position was filled according to legal and procedural requirements.

The post had fallen vacant following the departure of former opposition leader Shibli Faraz. Raja Nasir Abbas has now taken his seat in the Senate and assumed the responsibilities of the opposition leadership.

Prominent senators, including Rana Sanaullah, Azam Nazir Tarar, and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, congratulated Raja Nasir Abbas, shaking hands and extending their best wishes for his tenure. His appointment is expected to bring renewed coordination and strategy to the opposition benches in the Senate.

Abbas was elected on a general seat in February 2024.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai takes charge as National Assembly opposition leader

Earlier last week, head of the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), Mahmood Khan Achakzai, was also officially appointed as the new Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. The announcement followed the formal issuance of a notification by the Speaker of the National Assembly, finalizing Achakzai’s role after no other candidates submitted nominations for the position.

Independent members, particularly those aligned with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), supported Achakzai’s candidacy, allowing him to assume the post without opposition. His appointment reflects a notable shift in the opposition’s dynamics and comes amid ongoing political tensions, with Rana Sanaullah, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs, highlighting PTI’s internal divisions as a continuing challenge.

A veteran politician, Achakzai has been critical of PTI’s lack of internal discipline but reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the party and advocating for justice and reforms. He emphasized dialogue as a key tool for resolving political conflicts and stressed that his alliance’s focus is on standing with the oppressed rather than pursuing positions.