Firdous Shamim Naqvi nominated opposition leader in Sindh Assembly

Application to be referred to speaker for review, approval

KARACHI: The opposition parties in the Sindh Assembly, with the exception of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), nominated on Tuesday Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Firdous Shamim Naqvi as the opposition leader in the House.

The application was signed by lawmakers from three major opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan (MQM-P) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA). "With the signature of around 59 MPAs, the application has been submitted to the Sindh Assembly speaker. All opposition parties have endorsed Naqvi's name," PTI MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman told The Express Tribune.

Referring to a Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) MPA and three TLP MPAs, Zaman said the lawmakers from these parties abstained from voting. "These [lawmakers] are part of the opposition benches and we will convince them to support us on issues faced by people living in Sindh," Zaman said.

Officials in the Sindh Assembly said the application for leader of the opposition will now be referred to the speaker for review and approval.



There are a total 168 seats in the assembly, but three seats are vacant due to the death of a candidate who was contesting the election from Malir and resignations by PTI MPA Imran Ismail and PPP's Pir Fazal. Ismail has assumed the office of governor while Fazal opted to choose an MNA seat. Meanwhile, two MPAs have yet to take oath.

According to the Sindh Assembly record, currently there are 163 members in the House where PPP has 97 seats, PTI 28, MQM-P 20, GDA 14, TLP 3 and MMA 1.

PTI had already nominated Naqvi as the opposition leader, but his remarks against MQM-P delayed the nomination. "Naqvi sahib has taken his words back and now all opposition parties have come to a consensus on his name. We work together and give a tough time to the PPP," an MQM-P MPA said.