Tough competition between govt, opposition for top senate posts today

The government has nominated current Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani as his candidate while the opposition is supporting former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, who deafeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)’s Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the recently-held Senate polls.

Gillani’s victory came as a blow for PTI, following which Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to take vote of confidence from the parliament. PM also accused opposition of vote selling and using money to influence the polls.

For the slot of Deputy Chairman, PDM has nominated Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, while government has nominated Mirza Muhammad Afridi, who hails from FATA.

A total of 48 senators have been elected to replace outgoing lawmakers.

Out of selected, two senators are from Islamabad, 12 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11 from Punjab, 12 from Balochistan and 11 from Sindh.

Government’s alliance has 47, while opposition has support of 51 senators. Jamat-e-Islami, with one senator, has announced not to vote for any candidate.