Opposition's candidate in Pakistan elected Chairman Senate

A senior opposition leader in Pakistan was elected unopposed as Chairman Senate on Thursday.

The main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party had fielded Mian Raza Rabbani for the Chairmanship of the Upper House of the parliament and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also endorsed his nomination.

No other party had fielded candidate against Rabbani, who had previously served as law minister.

Although the ruling PML-N has strengthened its position in the Senate, the PPP is still the single largest party in the Upper House. All opposition parties had supported Rabbani's candidature.

Raza Rabbani has been in active politics and had served as the leader of the 104-member House in the Senate during the 2008-2013 PPP's government.

He had headed the House committees that drafted some important amendments in the country's constitution.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif felicitated Rabbani over his unopposed election.

In a message he expressed the confidence that the unopposed election of the Chairman Senate will further strengthen democracy.

The Senate Chairman was elected after new elections were held on half of vacant seats earlier this month.

Earlier forty-six newly elected Senators took oath.

Talking to media, the newly elected Senators vowed to work together for strengthening parliamentary and democratic norms in the country.

They said Pakistan is faced with multiple challenges and government and the opposition will have to work with cohesion to steer the country out of all challenges.

The PPP senators appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for endorsing their candidate Mian Raza Rabbani for the slot of Chairman Senate. They said this gesture has raised the stature of the prime minister. Endi