PPP, MQM hope to win Senate elections unopposed

28 candidates submit their nomination papers during the last two days.

KARACHI: Twenty-eight candidates submitted their nomination papers during the last two days for the Senate election on 11 seats in Sindh. 

Of the total forms, 13 have been filed by candidates belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 12 by those of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), two by Pakistan Muslim League - Functional (PML-F) and one by Paksitan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N).

The six candidates who filed their papers on Friday are PPP's Shama Mithani, Sarfaraz Rajar and Dost Ali Jeesar, MQM's Babar Ghauri, PML-N's Zafar Ali Shah and PML-F's Muhammad Bux Khaskheli. Twenty-two candidates had submitted their forms on Thursday. Of the total 11 seats in the Senate for Sindh, there are seven general seats and two reserved for women and as many reserved for technocrats. The election for these seats will be held on March 5.  While the PPP and MQM claim they will win seven and four seats, respectively, PML-F also has its hopes high for one seat.

After the nomination process, whose deadline was Friday, the scrutiny of papers will be conducted from February 19 to February 20. The filing of appeals against rejection of the forms will be held from February 23 to February 24.

The dates for the disposal of the appeal have been fixed from February 26 to February 27. The last date for the withdrawal of the candidature is February 28 and the final list of the candidate will also be published on the same day. Polling will then take place on March 5

Candidates from the PPP who have got the party ticket to contest the election are Rehman Malik, Farooq H Naek, Islamuddin Shaikh, Saleem Mandiviwala, Sassui Palijo, Engineer Ghianchand and Abdul Latif Ansari. MQM has given tickets to Barrister Saif, Mian Ateeq, Raza Zaidi and Nighat Khatoon. Simialrly, PML-F has given the party ticket to Imamuddin Shauqeen.

Talking to the media, PPP leader Rehman Malik said that they have evolved an understanding with the MQM to contest the election. "[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] PTI members have tendered their resignations from the assembly," he said. "PML-N and PML-F do not have the mandate to win even one seat. In this situation, they should support our candidates by extending cooperation to us."

Pir Pagara calls Imran Khan

On the other hand, PML-F leader Pir Pagara has reportedly called PTI chief Imran Khan seeking the support of the four MPAs of his party in the Senate elections in Sindh. PML-F has 11 seats in the Sindh Assembly and claims to have gained the support of 10 PML-N MPAs as well. "

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2015.