Islamabad, May 19, 2025: Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz has strongly criticized the federal government for excluding opposition members from the recently-formed committee tasked with representing Pakistan’s stance abroad amid escalating regional tensions.
Speaking during a Senate session on Monday, Faraz acknowledged the importance of sending a foreign delegation to present Pakistan’s case internationally but expressed disappointment over what he called a “deliberate sidelining” of the opposition.
“The largest opposition party in this House has been completely excluded. This reflects the government’s narrow political mindset,” he said. “Matters of national interest demand unity, not exclusion.”
Faraz emphasized that the entire nation had come together following India’s recent aggression, and such unity should be reflected in parliamentary representation. He contrasted Pakistan’s approach with that of India, stating that New Delhi had included leaders from the opposition Congress party in its own delegation on the same matter.
“This is not the time for political point-scoring. National unity should be visible not only in speeches but also in action,” he added.
Faraz’s remarks come amid growing calls for a bipartisan approach to foreign policy and national security in light of the recent military standoff with India.
