Raza Rabbani quits cabinet

Published March 10, 2009

ISLAMABAD, March 9 The Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Senator Raza Rabbani has resigned from the federal cabinet after the decision of the Pakistan People's Party top brass to nominate Senator Farooq H. Naek for the post of Senate chairman.

On Sunday, Senator Rabbani quit as leader of the opposition in the Senate, a day after Leader of the House Wasim Sajjad resigned.

PPP sources told Dawn Mr Rabbani was apparently upset for not being nominated for the Senate position despite having run the upper house smoothly for years from both sides of the aisle.

The source disclosed that ANP chief Asfandyar Wali had broken the news to Mr Rabbani before the PPP announcement, leading the veteran PPP leader to quit.

Dawn spoke to Mr Rabbani about his decision, but he refused to comment on the matter.

Dawn also learnt that the federal information minister had tried hard to persuade Mr Rabbani to take back his decision.

People's Party chief Asif Zardari has yet to accept the resignation by Raza Rabbani.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...