Overview
- Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani declared the MWM chief opposition leader after confirming he had support from 22 opposition members.
- The Senate Secretariat issued the designation with immediate effect under Rule 16(3) of the Senate’s rules.
- The move completes the opposition’s leadership in both chambers after Mehmood Khan Achakzai took the National Assembly role last week.
- The Senate post had been vacant since August 2025 following ECP disqualification of Shibli Faraz, with legal proceedings contributing to delays.
- In his first address, Abbas pledged loyalty to Imran Khan and called for his release, as government figures welcomed the appointment and invited talks.