Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has refused to accept the resignation of Yousuf Raza Gilani from the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House.
According to sources, Bilawalsaid that Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's services for democracy are a shining example for democrats. Bilawal appreciated his statement in the Senate.
Bilawal said that PPP is the only party whose representatives are accountable to themselves and Yousuf Raza Gilani has always fought for democracy.
Earlier today, Senate Opposition Leader senator Yousaf Raza Gillani resigned from his post and submitted his resignation to his party (PPP) chairman.
Gillani said, “I do not want to be the Leader of the Opposition (in the Senate).”
Speaking in the Senate session, Gillani alleged that the Chairman Senate position should not be biased. He alleged that the Senate chairman adjourned the session and facilitated the government. “The opposition had a majority in the House before the 30-minute adjournment,” Gillani claimed.
In an indirect reference to his absence from Friday's session, "I am not surprised by the criticism by my opponents but felt pain over the silence of his own people."
He said the government should take (opposition) into confidence on important issues at the national level.
It is pertinent to note that Gilani was among at least eight opposition senators who had skipped last Friday's Senate session, which allowed the PTI government to narrowly manage to get the crucial State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill passed from the opposition-controlled house.
Reporter Usman Javed