KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s Rana Ansar, who created history by becoming the first-ever woman leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, was on Wednesday warmly greeted by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as she officially assumed her office after being notified by the assembly secretariat.

While cordially congratulating her, Women Development Minister Shehla Raza said that the MQM-P lawmaker was a very courteous and brave woman who had started her political career as a councillor.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s Heer Soho termed Ms Ansar’s appointment a good omen for women and said that the MQM-P woman lawmaker had opened an avenue for the development and empowerment of their gender by becoming the first female opposition leader in the assembly.

“Keep up your hard work and dedication,” she asked the opposition leader adding that Ms Ansar was not the opposition leader of opposition parties only, but of the province.

PPP lawmaker Kulsom Chandio said it was evident in the history that women bravely performed whenever they were assigned any responsibility.

She said that Benazir Bhutto always supported women development and empowerment as she established first women police station and first women bank in the country.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, while congratulating the MQM-P member, said that PPP also supported women in every sector.

“PPP always believes in empowering women,” he added and said the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was the first woman prime minister of the Islamic world.

Abdul Razzaq of Grand Democratic Alliance, while congratulating Ms Ansar, said that it was a matter of pride for them too as a woman had become the opposition leader.

MQM’s Muhammad Hussain Khan said his party had set an example for religious and political parties by making a woman leader of opposition.

“Rana Ansar’s role in law making and raising public issues is commendable,” he added.

Apart from felicitation, no other business including questions pertaining to food department, call attention notices and government bills could be taken up.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023