Summary Rehman has become the first female in the history of Pakistan to lead the opposition in the Senate. Photo: Dunya News
(Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party’s Senator Sherry Rehman has been appointed as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
Rehman has become the first female in the history of Pakistan to lead the opposition in the Senate.
Leading in votes, Rehman secured 34 votes in her favour. Twenty senators of PPP, six members from Balochistan and FATA voted for Rehman along with six independent senators.
ANP’s Senator Sitara Ayaz and Jahanzaib Jamaldini of BNP (M) each voted for Rehman.
Azam Swati of PTI also contested for the opposition leader’s seat, but received only 19 votes. PTI’s twelve senators voted for Swati, five senators of MQM (Pakistan), and two senators from JI.
Rehman, once a journalist, has also served as an editor of the Herald - a post she held till the late 90s. In 2002 and 2008, she was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan. She has also served as Information Minister in the Federal Cabinet under Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani.
She was appointed as the Ambassador to the United States in 2011.
PPP is the only party which has made history by having its first female prime minister, first female speaker in National Assembly and now its first female as opposition leader.
On social media, Rehman thanked party leadership, and other opposition parties who voted and supported her.
Thank you to my party leadership, Chairman @BBhuttoZardari,Pres Zardari and Opposition parties that reposed confidence in me. Thank u to colleagues from FATA and Balochistan, as well as ANP and BNP(M) who have supported all the way. I look forward to working with all opposition
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 22, 2018
First woman opposition leader in the senate. #PPP #WeMakeHistory congratulations @sherryrehman https://t.co/j6yuV8E4W0
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) March 22, 2018
For more on this, watch a report by Dunya News below.
