Senate opposition leader: PPP, PTI stick to their guns

ISLAMABAD: The race between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) entered final phase as Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani is expected to take its first decision within end of this week that who will be the opposition leader of the Upper House of the Parliament — Senator Sherry Rehman or Azam Swati.

The PPP nominated candidate Senator Sherry Rehman has submitted the letter of support of 33 senators to her as an opposition leader in the Upper House of the Parliament to chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani last week.

While the PTI nominated candidate Azam Swat had only support of 19 members that include 12 senators of his party, five of MQM-P and 2 senators of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The tug of war for the top slot of the opposition in the Senate started when PPP nominated Senator Sherry Rehman for the opposition leader who submitted letter of support to the chairman Senate but the PTI challenged it and demanded from the PPP to withdraw its candidate. The PPP advised the PTI that it should read and study how an opposition leader in the Senate is elected.

“Senate Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business 2012" for appointment of leader of the opposition clearly states that the chairman will declare an opposition leader who enjoys the support of the majority in the Opposition, submitted in writing under their signatures so why is a problem being created then.

The Rule 16 of the Senate Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business 2012, Senate reads as, "After the election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman under Article 60 of the Constitution and at any time thereafter the chairman shall declare Leader of the Opposition within fifteen days.”