Shibli Faraz takes helm as Senate opposition leader

Faraz was nominated last week by party founder Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD:

PTI Senator Shibli Faraz has been appointed as the new opposition leader in the Senate, as per a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat on Monday.

Former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan put forth Faraz's nomination for the position last week, a move widely anticipated given the endorsement of 21 senators.

The appointment, made under Rule 16 (3) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, was confirmed through a notification.

Having served as a senator since 2015, Faraz previously held the role of information minister during the PTI government. He was also designated as the focal person for the PTI earlier this month.

Faraz's elevation to opposition leader status comes amid a lull in Senate proceedings lasting three weeks, sparked by the retirement of 52 lawmakers on March 12.

The subsequent polls on April 2 saw the ruling coalition securing 19 seats, paving the way for the unopposed election of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani as Senate chairman.

Gillani's election transpired amid the swearing-in of 41 newly elected senators during a session marked by a raucous protest from the PTI, which had boycotted the proceedings citing incomplete polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.