ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was elected chairman of the Kashmir committee of the National Assembly at a meeting of the committee held at the Parliament House on Tuesday.

He is the first parliamentarian to be elected chairman of a house committee of the new National Assembly.

Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan is likely to become chairman of the foreign affairs committee.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated Maulana Fazl and said his appointment would promote the Kashmir cause.

The prime minister said in a statement that Maulana Fazl’s election was part of a power-sharing formula under which the JUI-F, which had one minister in the federal cabinet, would get two more ministries and a post of parliamentary secretary.

Maulana Fazl, who was leader of opposition in the previous National Assembly, was chairman of the NA committee on foreign affairs during the second Benazir Bhutto government.

Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani of the PPP proposed the name of Maulana Fazl for the chairmanship of the committee, seconded by Sheikh Aftab Ahmed of the PML-N.

PAC CHIEF: PML-N’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who will take over as the 15th Leader of the Opposition following the resignation of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi of the PML-Q, is likely to become chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...