Opposition MNAs in majority to pick their leader

ISLAMABAD: The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has designated its defeated candidate for the office of the leader of house in the National Assembly Omer Ayub Khan to be leader of opposition in the house but National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq is the ultimate authority to accept the submission by the members siding with the opposition in this regard.

The parliamentary sources in the National Assembly told The News Wednesday evening that no formal request had been received by the opposition members for appointing their leader. The members which are siding with the opposition will have to write to the Speaker with their authenticated signatures about their choice of leader of opposition. The speaker would decide about such application if it is signed by the majority of the opposition members.

If more than one groups claim for the slot of leader of opposition, the speaker will have to determine majority support of the members for the contenders of the opposition leader. The member who enjoys the majority support in the Speaker view, would be appointed leader of opposition, the sources said.

The sources reminded that the PTI-backed SIC members are in majority in opposition but the final tally of the reserve seats could have impact on the line up. The sources reminded that Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his JUI could sit on the opposition desks but it would be difficult for him to accept functioning under the PTI designated leader of opposition and to work under his command in the National Assembly. The Maulana is being persuaded by the ruling alliance parties to side with them but it is unlikely that he would change his mind. The sources hinted that Maulana Fazl could lead group of the independents in the National Assembly. The members currently sitting on opposition benches, are independent since the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to accept them as parliamentary party by the virtue of its judgment of Monday last.