PTI’s Faisal Javed rules out possibility of horse-trading

While speaking to media outside parliament house, PTI leader said that is the right of every senator to vote for the candidates of his own choice.

"A lot of Senators have been elected as independent candidates. It is up to them to vote for whoever they want to. The government and its allies will vote for Sadiq Sanjrani,” he said.

Praising Sanjrani, Faisal Javed said that he enjoys a good reputation in the upper house.

"A lot of Senators think Sanjrani is the better candidate. On the other hand, Yousaf Raza Gillani’s actions are there for all to see,” he added.

The newly elected 48 senators have taken oath which was administered by Presiding Officer (PO) Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah.

The upper house will elect its chairman and deputy chairman in the next phase.

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 taken oath and replaced 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.