KARACHI: The leadership of Pakistan Muslim League has devised a two-pronged strategy for winning the seats of Senate chairman and deputy chairman.
In the first place, the PML-N will form an alliance with like-minded parties, independent members and in case of lack of number, seat adjustments with Pakistan Peoples Party will be done.
PML-N has already expedited contacts with JUI-F, JI, MQM-P (both groups), National Party, PKMAP and independent members from Fata and Balochistan and is asking for their cooperation for the seats of chairman and deputy chairman in the upper house.
PML-N leadership has given this task to Raja Zafarul Haque, Pervaiz Rashid, Mushahidullah Khan, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Amir Muqam, Mushahid Hussain Syed and other leaders who will work as coordination committee.
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Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and PM Abbasi will also contact like-minded parliamentary leaders.
A meeting of the leadership decided the strategy and names of the possible candidates which included Raja Zafarul Haq, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Lt Gen (rtd) Abdul Qayyum, Ishaq Dar, Pervaiz Rashid, Sabir Shah, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir, Lt Gen (rtd) Salahuddin Tirmizi, Hasil Bizinjo, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidry.
The leadership was informed that PKMAP and National Pary had assured PML-N of their cooperation while initial contacts with JUI-F, JI, and MQM-P (both the groups) had been made. PML-N suggested that Raja Zafarul Haq should be the candidate for Senate chairmanship.
The names of candidates for the seats of chairman and deputy chairman will be finalized after consulting the like-minded parties. The deputy-chairmanship may be given to any of the allied parties.
PML-N leaders will have meetings with Maulana Fazalur Rehman, Sirajul Haque, Hazil Bizenjo, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Farooq Sattar, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and others.
Sources said that PML-N has also discussed the issue with PPP and a joint strategy may be tried through Khursheed Shah.
Maulana Fazalur Rehman can also play an important role in devising a joint strategy.
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PML-N wants that an agreement is reached upon in the name of candidate for caretaker PM between PM and the opposition leader.
PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haque told Express that so far his name has not been announced officially. He said PML-N candidate will win the office of the chairman of the Senate.
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