Sherry elected chair of Senate panel on climate change

ISLAMABAD: Senator Sherry Rehman was unanimously elected as the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change on Wednesday.

Her nomination by Senator Qurratulain Marri was seconded by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani. In her acceptance speech, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed gratitude to her colleagues for their support and confidence in her leadership.

As the new chair, Sherry Rehman emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, highlighting the critical position Pakistan holds in this global challenge. “I have chosen this committee because it is very close to my heart. Pakistan is at the forefront of the climate change crisis, and our goal is to raise climate issues,” she said.

“We are committed to ensuring that Pakistan’s climate policies are not only comprehensive but also effectively implemented,” she added. “Our collective efforts will be directed towards safeguarding our environment for future generations.”

The meeting was attended by Senator Qurratulain Marri, Senator Taj Haider, Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt and Senator Shahzaib Durrani.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) in the Senate Senator Irfan Siddiqui was elected unopposed as the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The election, held on Wednesday, saw support from government coalition, while the opposition PTI senators abstained from voting.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui was nominated for the chairmanship by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) parliamentary leader Senator Sherry Rehman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUIF) parliamentary leader Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman.

The nomination was seconded by PPP Senator Rana Mehmoodul Hasan and PMLN Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan. In a meeting attended by six members, including Sherry Rehman, Rana Mehmoodul Hasan, Rubina Qaimkhani, and Afnanullah Khan, the committee endorsed Irfan Siddiqui’s candidacy.

PTI Senators Ali Zafar and Liaquat Khan Tarakai abstained from voting, who nevertheless expressed their support post-election. Ali Zafar commented: “If it weren’t for our ongoing political issues, I would have personally nominated Senator Irfan Siddiqui for the chairmanship. He is an excellent choice for this role.”

Upon his election, Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their confidence.

He emphasised the critical role of the Foreign Affairs Committee, stating: “In today’s complex world, our diplomatic efforts must evolve. This committee will serve as a strategic think tank, offering robust support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”