Pakistani woman lawmaker becomes opposition leader in Senate

Pakistani officials say a senior woman lawmaker from the opposition party of former President Asif Ali Zardari has become the country's first opposition leader in the upper house of parliament.

Sherry Rehman is a former diplomat who served as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States from 2011 to 2013.

She has been the member of the Senate since 2015. Rehman is also a former journalist and a prominent human rights activist in Pakistan.

Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, recently elected as Senate chairman, issued a statement announcing Rehman's appointment, which was confirmed on Friday.

Azam Swati, a lawmaker from cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's party, had hoped to be named opposition Senate leader but lost the bid to Rehman, the only other candidate, who won support of more lawmakers for the post.

Source: AP