ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership is in the process of appointing a new parliamentary leader in the Senate, where the party is in a majority despite being in the opposition.

Sources in the party told Dawn that the party leadership had communicated to Senator Saeed Ghani, who is currently holding the office of the parliamentary leader, about the decision that he was being replaced with a new member.

Mr Ghani had hinted at resigning from the Senate after his appointment as adviser to newly-elected Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on labour affairs in anticipation of heavy workload. He, however, had been directed by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to retain his Senate seat but quit as the party’s parliamentary leader.

The sources said the names of veteran Senator Taj Haider, party’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar and Sherry Rehman were presently under consideration of the party leadership for the appointment as the parliamentary leader in the opposition-dominated upper house of parliament. They said the party leadership had also considered the name of former law minister Farooq H. Naek for the office, but he might not be offered the position due to his pressing engagements as lawyer.

The position of the PPP’s parliamentary leader in the Senate is considered to be an important one because the PPP is the largest party in the Senate. The parliamentary leader is required to liaise with other opposition parties for cooperation on agenda items, particularly on legislation, in order to maintain unity in the opposition ranks. His role during the Senate proceedings becomes more important in the absence of the opposition leader.

When contacted, Mr Ghani confirmed that he had been asked by the party chairman to retain his Senate seat and that the party was in the process of appointing a new parliamentary leader in the upper house.

Both Farhatullah Babar and Taj Haider said that they were not aware if the party was considering their names for the appointment as parliamentary leader.

Mr Haider said his chances of becoming the parliamentary leader seemed to be remote since he also had been looking after the affairs of the Sindh government in different sectors. Besides this, Mr Haider said, he had been heading two committees and was member of four committees. Therefore, like Saeed Ghani he might not be able to give as much time as required by the office.

Moreover, he said, the party leadership had considered his name for the position last year too, but decided otherwise so that he could give time to the affairs of Sindh government.

Mr Haider has also been playing the role of a focal person for the Sindh government in the Senate.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2016