Dhaka, March 14 -- Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad has officially recognised Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman as the opposition leader in parliament.

A gazette notification published on Thursday also confirmed the appointment of the party's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher as the deputy leader of the opposition.

The speaker granted the recognition under the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament and relevant laws, the notice said.

As the head of the largest party or alliance opposing the government in the current parliament, Shafiqur Rahman will now enjoy the rank, pay, and privileges of a full cabinet minister, according to the notice.

The move comes after the opposition alliance initially nominated Shafiqur and Taher for the ...