U Bloc divided over who should run

PML-N thinking of nominating Zulfiqar Khosa and Ishaq Dar.

LAHORE:

The Unification Bloc failed to agree, during a meeting on Wednesday, on a candidate it will field for the Senate elections. 

The 47-member bloc, led by Dr Tahir Ali Javed, had also met last week.

Sources privy to the developments told The Express Tribune that PML-N had offered the party one general seat. Sources said that there had been a consensus on Mian Ata Muhammad Maneka but he refused. The names of MPA Ejaz Shafi and Ayesha Javed were considered but were opposed by some. MPA Raza Gilani then proposed the name of his father, former minister Afzal Ali Shah Gilani, but the idea was shot down, said the source.

The Unification bloc member said that Javed supports Ejaz Shafi, adding that some of the members, who remained unconvinced, had asked that more names be discussed in the next meeting. “The PML-N might end up selecting a candidate if the U bloc fails to agree on one,” the member said.

Meanwhile, PML-N members told The Express Tribune that the PML-N has “almost finalised” MPA Sirdar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa and retiring Senator Ishaq Dar. Bishop Michael Nazir, Bishop Alexander John Malik and Azad Marsha are being considered for a seat reserved for minorities, according to the member.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2012.