Former leader of the opposition in Senate and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan on Thursday said that Sherry Rehman was an extremely competent person whose election as the new opposition leader in the upper house of the parliament was good news for the nation.
Talking in a Channel 92 programme ‘Ho Kia Raha Hai’, hosted by senior journalist and analyst Arif Nizami, he said that Rehman’s international profile and a good sense of foreign affairs would promote a soft image of Pakistan in the world, which he said the government’s representatives had somewhat failed to do.
“Sherry Rehman’s approach to work and the positive political attitude that she possesses has always inspired me and I am very proud of her… I must say that I am proud to be her colleague,” added the former senator.
He also expressed confidence in Sherry Rehman’s abilities and said he had no doubt that the former would prove to be a “better opposition leader than he ever was”.
Stating that the past few days turned out to be exceptionally good for the PPP with its backed candidates being elected as the Senate chairman as well as the deputy chairman, Ch Aitzaz added that Rehman’s election as the Senate leader of the opposition was just the “cherry on the cake”.
Earlier in the day, PPP leader Sherry Rehman was appointed as the Leader of the opposition in Senate, becoming the first woman to bag the honour.
“I would like to thank Chairman PPP Bilawal, co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and party peers on this occasion. Congratulations to everyone! I would also like to thank the Fata group, the Awami National Party (ANP) and others who pledged support. The PPP wants everyone to work in unison to ensure the Senate continues to deliver,” Rehman shared in a video message.
On March 15, Sherry had submitted her nomination papers bearing signatures of at least 34 senators from various opposition parties, including independents, except the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Jamaate Islami (JI), in her support.
At the time, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said the party was making history by nominating the first woman to lead the opposition.