PTI's Shibli Faraz appointed leader of the house in Senate

PML-N senior leader Raja Zafarul Haq declared leader of the opposition in the upper house of parliament

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Secretariat on has announced appointment of Senator Syed Shibli Faraz as Leader of the House and Senator Raja Zafarul Haq as Leader of the Opposition in the upper house of parliament.

Shibli, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator, was nominated to represent Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government in the Senate.

"Prime Minister Imran Khan is pleased to appoint Senator Syed Shibli Faraz to act as Leader of the House on behalf of the PM to represent government and to regulate government business in the Senate with effect from August 24," said the secretariat's notification.





The son of renowned poet Ahmad Faraz was previously serving as chairman of the Senate’s standing committee on commerce.  He is also a member of committees responsible for planning and development, water and climate change.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Raja Zafarul was declared opposition leader in pursuance of rule 16 (5) of the rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, according to Senate Secretariat.

Haq was the Leader of the House in the Senate, representing deposed premier Nawaz Sharif until Shibli's appointment.

A retired diplomat and veteran politician, Haq is the chairman of Shehbaz Sharif-led party. During the course of his career he held various ministries including minister of religious affairs (1997-1999).