LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan has declared Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar as the opposition leader in the House.

A notification to the effect was issued by the assembly secretariat here on Friday.

Mr Bhachar was elected from Mianwali’s provincial assembly seat PP-87 in the general election.

He was nominated as the opposition leader by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council after MPA-elect Aslam Iqbal did not appear in the Punjab Assembly to take oath of his office for fear of his arrest.

The speaker has also declared Moeen Riaz Qureshi of the SIC as the deputy opposition leader.

Mr Qureshi is the nephew of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi and was elected from a Multan seat.

Meanwhile, Political Counselor at the British High Commission Zoe Ware called on the speaker and discussed national political situation, parliamentary affairs and other issues of mutual interests.

The speaker lauded the British institutions’ role in education and other sectors of Pakistan.

Highlighting the potential for bilateral cooperation in industries, agriculture, and other sectors, he emphasized on exchange of parliamentary delegations, further economic cooperation between the two countries, and strengthening relations at the grassroots level.

Mr Khan believed if suitable opportunities were provided to the youth they could yield positive outcomes. He briefed the diplomat about the Punjab Assembly’s legislative process and committee system.

Ms Ware said that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis in England are contributing excellently to various fields there, and they would play their role in enhancing relations between Britain and Pakistan.

Also present at the meeting were Head of British High Commission in Lahore Clara Strandhoj, Political Adviser Talal Raza, Assembly Secretary Chaudhry Aamir Habib, Additional Secretary Malik Khalil Ahmad, Staff Officer Imad Hussain Bhalli, and spokesperson Rao Majid Ali.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2024