Raza Rabbani to be leader of opposition in Senate

After keeping the matter pending for almost 22 months, the Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro on Monday named the Democratic Alliance candidate Senator Mian Raza Rabbani as Leader of the Opposition in Senate. A notification by the Senate Secretariat said the Chairman Senate under Rule-2 (1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 1988, has notified Senator Rabbani as the opposition leader.
The rule says that 'Leader of the Opposition' means a member of a House who, in the opinion of the Senate Chairman, is for the time being the leader of the members in opposition to the government.
The Democratic Alliance, comprising the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy and like-minded opposition parties had support of 22 Senators while the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) had support of 20 Senators.
The opposition alliances had been pressing the Senate chairman to announce the opposition leader. However, he kept the matter pending. The Senate members had taken oath on March 12, 2003, and the first formal session was summoned on March 27.
"This development is in line with the constitution and the parliamentary practices. Surely it will have its bearing on the National Assembly, where this rule has not been followed," commented veteran constitutional expert while talking to Business Recorder here.
He contended that the same rule to be followed in the lower house of the Parliament and Makhdoom Amin Fahim be notified as opposition leader. Maulana Fazlur Rehman of MMA was named opposition leader last year, which was seen as a reward to it for its support to the 17th amendment last year.
"ARD and its allied partners' position stands vindicated after the notification in favour of Senator Rabbani," remarked Izhar Amrohvi, ARD Parliamentary Secretary.
MMA leader was given the prestigious slot, setting aside the clear numerical edge ARD-led alliance enjoyed at that time. MMA submitted the request with 65 members' signatures while the ARD with 81 lawmakers.
Keeping in view the proposed amendments in the rules of procedure, it is quite likely that Makhdoom Amin would be made opposition leader in the National Assembly.
Contrary to viewing the development as per the constitution, it is also being seen as part of the government's reconciliation efforts with the opposition, more precisely with Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarians (PPPP).