The government and opposition have agreed on the appointment of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as the new Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Ali Zafar confirmed on Monday.
The development comes a week after Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai was named Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.
Speaking to the media, Barrister Ali Zafar said consultations were held between Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and members of both treasury and opposition benches, leading to a consensus on the appointment.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also confirmed the decision, stating that Allama Raja Nasir Abbas — an ally of PTI — would assume the role, adding that an official notification was being issued.
The position had remained vacant since August last year, when former opposition leader Senator Shibli Faraz was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following his conviction in cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots.
Earlier, PTI’s parliamentary leader in the Senate had formally written to the chairman, urging the immediate appointment of a leader of the opposition and nominating the MWM chief for the role.
Barrister Zafar stressed that the office of the Leader of the Opposition is vital for a functioning parliamentary democracy, playing a key role in constitutional oversight, transparency and effective governance.
He added that the prolonged vacancy had raised serious questions about parliamentary completeness, noting that the Senate remained institutionally incomplete without an opposition leader.