Senate Chairman Farooq H. Naek had appointed JUI-F Secretary General Haideri as the opposition leader in June. — Photo by PPI

ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Friday formally announced its support for the nomination of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) for the office of the opposition leader in the Senate, DawnNews reported.

On behalf of the MQM, Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi submitted an application supporting Mr Haideri to Secretary Senate Raja Amin.

The application had signatures from six senators.

Speaking to media representatives, Mr Amin confirmed receiving the application and stated that the JUI-F now had support from 18 members of the Senate.

Senate Chairman Farooq H. Naek had appointed JUI-F Secretary General Haideri as the opposition leader in June.

At the time, the nomination was widely criticised by opposition senators, including by senate members from the MQM.