Sibtain appointed Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly ahead of budget

LAHORE, June 13: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sibtain Khan has been appointed as Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly moments before the presentation of the provincial budget in the house.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi issued notification regarding Mr Sibtain’s appointment as Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly on Monday ahead of an expected stormy session of the assembly in which the PML-N government would present the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2022-23.
“Pursuant to the provisions of rule 23-A of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab 1997, I, Parvez Elahi, Speaker, Provincial Assembly of Punjab hereby declare Mr Muhammad Sibtain Khan, MPA as Leader of Opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, with immediate effect,” the notification reads.
According to sources, the names of Usman Buzdar, Mehmoodur Rashid and Raja Basharat were also considered by the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for the post. But Mr Sibtain led the race and was nominated as the opposition leader.
The opposition leader’s seat had fallen vacant after its previous incumbent, Hamza Shahbaz, was elected as the chief minister following the resignation of Usman Buzdar ahead of a no-confidence motion in the provincial assembly. -TLTP