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Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Saturday appointed PML-N's Raja Zafarul Haq leader of the opposition in the Upper House, according to a notification issued by the Senate Secretariat.
Haq replaced PPP Senator Sherry Rehman with effect from Aug 24, according to the notification. Haq, who previously served as leader of the house, was replaced by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Shibli Faraz on Aug 24.
Haq had been a contender for the election of Senate chairman against Sadiq Sanjrani earlier this year but lost by 11 votes.
Read more: PML-N seeks to change opposition leader in Senate
Rehman tweeted her congratulations to both Faraz and Haq on Sunday. "I hope they both remember the best service to democracy lies in serving public interests via legislation, debate, good governance and parliamentary probity."
The PML-N sought to replace Rehman days after the election for prime minister in the National Assembly. The PPP had withdrawn its support for PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif during the election, abstaining from voting ─ a move that caused a rift in the opposition parties' alliance.
The PPP and PML-N are currently embroiled in a tussle over nominating a suitable candidate for the post of president. The PPP had earlier nominated Aitzaz Ahsan as its candidate and attempted to convince other opposition parties in the 11-party Pakistan Alliance for Free and Fair Elections to support him.
Read more: 'PML-N may consider Aitzaz Ahsan for president if he apologises to Nawaz Sharif'
The opposition parties at a meeting in Murree yesterday had rejected Ahsan as a candidate, but said they were ready to back a candidate other than him.
The alliance is set to announce its presidential candidate today. The nominee will be in the running for the post against PTI's Arif Alvi.
Haq calls his first meeting as opposition leader
Haq, after assuming the role of the opposition leader in the Senate, has called the first meeting between PML-N's parliamentary party and the alliance on Monday.
During the meeting, the course of action to be taken by the opposition in the Senate will be charted out.
"Discussions will be held on how to give the Tehreek-i-Insaf government a tough time in the Senate," said a source within the PML-N.
With additional reporting by Javed Hussain.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (56) Closed
Aug 26, 2018 12:22pm
Both the parties PMLN and PPP are the faces of the same coin and warranty of each other for shielding corruption of each other.
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Aug 26, 2018 12:29pm
I don't agree . PPP didn't refuse to back Shahbaz during the election for prime minister, PPP only did what they were asked to do by THEM. They only carried out the orders.
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Aug 26, 2018 12:30pm
Older man replaces younger smarter woman. Sad. If PPP has any self respect they would walk away from this joint opposition.
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Aug 26, 2018 12:48pm
ppp-pml BOTH THIEVES.
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Aug 26, 2018 12:49pm
This is a classical example of 'you scratch my back, I will scratch yours' - as both PMLN and PPP are rejected parties and are trying to improve their respective positions in the national assembly and Senate!
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Aug 26, 2018 12:54pm
If Ms. Sherry Rehman could say "I hope they both remember the best service to democracy lies in serving public interests via legislation, debate, good governance and parliamentary probity." this to her own party sind in particular and country in general wold not be in shambles that it is
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Aug 26, 2018 12:55pm
What are PMLN politicians doing in the parliaments? PMLN is finished.
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Aug 26, 2018 01:25pm
@M1 Jamal
i would to share my concern, kindly recount number of PPP, PMLN individual in PTI.
thanks
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Aug 26, 2018 01:27pm
@Syed ji
kindly share jahangir tareen's and babra awan's credentials with us please
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Aug 26, 2018 01:28pm
Clash of false egos and fake principles goes on amongst the family-owned, family-ruled, family-dominated and family-operated so-called political parties, who have been rejected by the patriotic, hardworking, enlightened, educated, enduring, excelling and egalitarian voters of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in thr recently held 2018 General Elections.
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Aug 26, 2018 01:41pm
The ‘united’ opposition doesn’t seem so united.
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Aug 26, 2018 01:47pm
Sherry Rehman is an intelligent and capable woman. She could have been a formidable asset for Pakistan. What a waste that she decided to support a corrupt dynastic setup which has become but a mockery of ZAB's progressive vision.
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Aug 26, 2018 01:59pm
@Tamza they already did by not voting for pml candidates
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Aug 26, 2018 02:34pm
both parties are corrupt only hope with pit
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Aug 26, 2018 02:39pm
Useless people just after their seats. Here we see a bunch of Incompetent people who think they have the right to use Pakistan as their private business. Shame on you losers.
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Aug 26, 2018 02:40pm
@RUMI Apparently "they" are very strong and PPP + PMLN should just leave politics as "they" are against them
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Aug 26, 2018 03:02pm
Seems PPP is following instructions from the establishment
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Aug 26, 2018 03:05pm
Arm twisting tactics in the opposition surely suggest that they will never be happy until they can get back in the driving seat with no one challenging their corrupt family based leaders. PML-N reps are being run from commands from their master in Adiala jail cell while PPP reps wait for serving Zardari's wishes and in between all of this opportunist, MMA waits and looks forward to some favors.
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Aug 26, 2018 03:13pm
PPP is a decent party compared to PMLN goons
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Aug 26, 2018 03:25pm
When we will get rid of this zia ul haq opening batsman.
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Aug 26, 2018 03:29pm
What difference will it make. Both PPP and PML-N are Corruption Mafias i.e. two sides of the same coin.
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Aug 26, 2018 03:46pm
@BhaRAT
Mr. BhaRat,
Both are in the boat of corruption because the
members of such parties admire
Zardaris/Bhuttos and Sharifs.
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Aug 26, 2018 03:53pm
@Jawad Arshad true. But they don't like any party for long. They only love themselves.
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Aug 26, 2018 04:21pm
They'll need each other when the bill is tabled in the parliament to abolish 18th amendment.
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Aug 26, 2018 04:50pm
The message from PML-N to PPP. "if you do not scratch my back then do not expect me to scratch your back".However, I still think that Sherry Rehman was more suave and sophisticated leader of the opposition. She shines like a star in the crude political culture of Pakistan.
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Aug 26, 2018 05:05pm
Hope they keep Ms Sherry Rehman as deputy opposition leader, there are too few experienced women on their benches.
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Aug 26, 2018 06:16pm
A wise decision made by PML-N and PPP. Hats off to Sherry Rehman!
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Aug 26, 2018 06:23pm
Good omen.
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Aug 26, 2018 06:46pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Dont forget PMLN got 1 Crore 28 Lakhs vote, with PTII got around 4 Million. you cannot considered PMLN as rejected party at all.
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Aug 26, 2018 06:53pm
@M1 Jamal PMLN in lat 5 years did Satisfactory job to say the least, we have already come out of major power crisis, CPEC work at least 70% completed, improvement in Law n Order, Improvement in Punjab education and health system, Improvement in federal higher education, Lots of Improvement in Road network in Punjab, Hariput belt, Karachi-hyderabad Motorway, Kichi Kanal completion in Baluchistan, KP-Fata Merger, Agriculture reforms, Stock Outperformed( in 1st 4 years) , Business Booming, GDP higher in last 10 years, Inflation lowest in 1st three years. PPP has done nothing in comparison.
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Aug 26, 2018 07:17pm
@saad I agree with you. Ask anyone on the street in Pakistan and anyone will tell you that PTI didn't win the elections because they were elected. They won the elections because they were selected. PMLN would have easily beaten PTI if there were free and fair elections.
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Aug 26, 2018 08:01pm
@saad - I find your comments inaccurate and against ground realities. Look at how much money looted by Nawaz Sharif, Shabaz Sharif, Isaq Dar, Asif Zaradari and their respective families during the last 20+ years. And as result, our country is financially in mess - no clean water for public, children are born outside hospitals, over 40% of our children are not developed adequately because of poor diet, high employment, high level of corruption in all government and private sectors. Is this what you call a progress under NS's and AZ's governments? I say to people like you 'come out of your cuckoo land' and look around and don't make silly statements!
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Aug 26, 2018 08:11pm
@saad
Mr. saad,
Both, PPP and PML-N, are corrupt.
But the people know that PPP is the most
corrupt party, worse than PML-N.
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Aug 26, 2018 08:19pm
@RUMI Pakistanis will never learn anything from history. That is the saddest part of our politics. Get some new talented, educated professionals as leader of the opposition for good governance. If PTI, PML (N) & PPP start to nominate only those from its rank of corrupt and inefficient old politicians, then surely Pakistan is doomed.
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Aug 26, 2018 08:23pm
When incompetence becomes the governing factor.
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Aug 26, 2018 09:13pm
N-leaguers and PPPers are in complete shock after their 2-party system took a hit.
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Aug 26, 2018 09:26pm
Shouldn't the plan for opposition be to better serve the people by holding the new government accountable? How does it help the people of Pakistan by giving the new government tough time, PPP and PML-N prove it everyday that their party is more important than the country. I believe Sherry Rehman said it best."I hope they both remember the best service to democracy lies in serving public interests via legislation, debate, good governance and parliamentary probity."
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Aug 26, 2018 09:34pm
Not an appropriate time for any to form alliances to give hard time to the elected government. Let the elected do their job. Why some of our politicians from the the corrupt and loser parties don't understand that Pakistan is economically and morally weak due to the past two governments?
Make no mistake that all these landlords, big head politicians and even corrupts with foreign and domestic bank balances exist as Pakistan stays strong and prosperous.
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Aug 26, 2018 09:34pm
Great Game of Mr. Zardari
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Aug 26, 2018 09:34pm
@Tamza Young?
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Aug 26, 2018 09:53pm
Let us remind the new generation that Raja Zafarul Haq was the opening batsman of dictator Zia's government.
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Aug 26, 2018 10:14pm
@saad - I would not write any comments as your views have already shot down on this issue. But I like to add just one that you have very poor knowledge and observations about PML-N.
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Aug 26, 2018 10:59pm
Fresh blood?
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Aug 26, 2018 11:15pm
both parties are not good for pakistan our hope is only imran khan he can change only pakistan
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Aug 26, 2018 11:15pm
@RUMI yeah
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Aug 26, 2018 11:16pm
@RUMI
Well why complain if you cant do anything by THEM?
Let THEM run things.
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Aug 27, 2018 12:22am
Sorry to see this happening.
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Aug 27, 2018 12:49am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani please keep asif zardari separated from Ns and ss.We have heard a lot about looting and corruption from NS which I still believe its perception build to bring 3rd force in the country due to obvious reasons very visible in last 2 years.
1st four years of pmln govt was very satisfactory from most of perspective and economic indicators were improving(reviewed by neutral observants like moody,standard nd poors,imf,wb etc and I was following each and evrry economic reports myself)and it could be much better,if dharna episode not happened Along with political stability overll and specifically in last one and half year.
Now Ik is center let see whether there is any looted money or not and how much will be recovered(if nothing recovered it all means baseless allegations),will also see what will be our economic situation in next 5 year(I sincerely hope pti will allow to run the government for compete next 5 years with complete freedom unlike what pti did with their opponents.
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Aug 27, 2018 02:03am
Replacing one goat with another makes nodifference. The goats leash is held elsewhere, this is dynatic politics. With PTI the leader takes the seat and takes charge.
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Aug 27, 2018 02:13am
Ppp pakistani pickpocket party
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Aug 27, 2018 02:50am
Panic or Anger?
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Aug 27, 2018 02:57am
In fact Zardari is always up to his old tricks and in addition this time because of him facing serious criminal charges he is seeking to please the establishment to get leniancy.
In addition he is an old implacable foe of Sharifs. He maliciously nominated Aitazaz to muddy the waters. PML N had been and is a fool in relying on Zardari,he had and will always deceive them
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Aug 27, 2018 04:01am
All these ugly people will still linger on for a while. Have been there for ages, with absolutely no service to the country or the masses.
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Aug 27, 2018 06:31am
PML N and PPP corruption heads.
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Aug 27, 2018 06:51am
Very sad and disappointing news indeed. Raja Zafarul Haq is the 'baqiat' of dictator Ziaul Haq and is good for nothing.
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Aug 27, 2018 07:52am
@BhaRAT What . It’s like saying BJP is for the Muslims in India, you cannot use the word decent in both PPP and PML-N’s case, too many corrupt people starting from the top, all the way to the bottom.
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