In a significant move, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has put forward former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani as its nominee for the esteemed position of Senate chairman. This decision was confirmed through a notification issued by Jamil Soomro, political secretary to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
This nomination comes as part of an agreement between PPP and PML-N, where key positions were distributed among the parties. As per the understanding, PPP secured the positions of president, Senate chairman, and governorship of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Currently, Gilani enjoys the support of 24 PPP senators, alongside backing from 19 PML-N senators, four from BAP, three from ANP, three independents, and one from the National Party, totaling 54 supporters. With the potential addition of three MQM-P and five JUI-F senators, Gilani could secure a comfortable victory, with a projected tally of 62.
However, the ruling coalition, represented by PTI, holds 22 senators, with additional potential support from JUI-F, which could bolster their numbers to 27.
The upcoming Senate session, scheduled for April 9, holds significance as the newly-elected members of the upper house of Parliament will take oath. Notably, Senator-elect Ishaq Dar was appointed as presiding officer due to the vacancies in the chairman and deputy chairman Senate positions. Both previous incumbents, Sadiq Sanjrani and Mirza Muhammad Afridi, completed their three-year terms before the recent Senate elections.
Despite the vacancies, there is uncertainty regarding the timing of elections to fill these crucial positions, raising questions about the Senate’s leadership as it convenes for its inaugural session without a complete roster of members.
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