Nusrat Seher Abbasi nominated as opposition leader

She will be the first woman in the role if the government allots her the seat.

KARACHI: The provincial assembly’s opposition parties have nominated Pakistan Muslim League-Functional’s (PML-F) Nusrat Seher Abbasi the opposition leader.

The decision was made on Friday at a meeting held at the residence of Imtiaz Shaikh, the general secretary of PML-F’s Sindh division. Abbasi has played a very active role in the provincial assembly as a member of the opposition and treasury benches. If the government allots her the seat, she will become the first woman opposition leader in Sindh’s history.

Abbasi was born in Rohri to Saleh Muhammad Sial, a social welfare officer at a cement factory. She started her career as an advocate before joining PML-F. Since her father-in-law Allah Bux Abbasi was a close aide of Shah Murdan Shah, late Pir Pagara, she was appointed the president of PML-N’s women wing Khairpur Mirs. The party later decided to allot her an MPA seat reserved for women in the 2008 general elections.

According to the records of the past four years, Abbasi is among the top three lawmakers in terms of legislation. Talking to The Express Tribune, Abbasi said she will try her best to play the role of an effective opposition leader and would not compromise on the province’s issues.

PML-F also decided in the meeting that it will not form an alliance with any party for the elections and would instead make seat-by-seat arrangements with different groups. The meeting was followed by a press conference in which Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, the president of PML-F’s Sindh division said, “I think Nusrat will be a good option. Being an advocate and competent woman, she can play an effective role as opposition leader.” He added that PML-Q (Likeminded) members had tried nominating Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim as opposition leader, but their request was turned down by speaker because he did not appear in the house. “We decided to bring our own candidate who will be acceptable to all opposition members.” Another meeting will be held after Muharram to map out a plan of action.

Referring to other decisions Rashdi said all participants expressed concerned over new local government system and adopted a resolution against Kalabagh Dam.

On the occasion, Imtiaz Shaikh said that the party has demanded the election commission to hold upcoming general elections under the supervision of judiciary. “We request the government to alert the army if situation gets out of control in next elections” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2012.