ISLAMABAD: Irfan Siddiqui, the parliamentary leader of PML-N in the Senate was elected unopposed as chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday.

The PTI senators abstained from voting during the election.

Senator Siddiqui was nominated for the post by PPP’s parliamentary leader Senator Sherry Rehman and JUI-F’s parliamentary leader Maulana Attaur Rehman. The nomination was seconded by PPP’s Rana Mehmoodul Hasan and PML-N’s Dr Afnanullah Khan.

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In a meeting attended by Sher­­ry Rehman, Mr Hasan, Rubina Qaimkhani and Dr Khan, the com­mittee endorsed Mr Siddiqui’s candidacy.

PTI Senators Ali Zafar and Liaquat Khan Tarakai abstained from voting, but expressed their support for Mr Siddiqui after the election.

Mr Zafar commented, “If it weren’t for our ongoing political issues, I would have personally nominated Senator Irfan Siddi­qui for the chairmanship. He is an excellent choice for this role.”

He emphasised the critical role of the Foreign Affairs Com­mittee. “In today’s complex wor­ld, our diplomatic efforts must ev­­­o­lve. This committee will serve as a strategic think tank, offering robust support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

In a related development, former federal minister for climate change Senator Sherry Rehman was unanimously elected as chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change.

Her nomination by Senator Qurratulain Marri was seconded by Senator Agha Shahzaib Dur­rani. In her acceptance speech, Senator Rehman expressed gratitude to her colleagues for their support and confidence in her leadership.

As the new chair, Senator Rehman emphasised the urgen­­cy of addressing climate change, highlighting the critical position Pakistan holds in this global challenge.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2024