Govt tries to woo Fazl into sparing Sanjrani

Balochistan CM and PTI senators call on JUI-F chief at his residence

ISLAMABAD: A delegation comprising members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies called on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence on Wednesday in an attempt to convince the opposition to withdraw its no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.

However, apparently the JUI-F chief refused to budge from his stance.

The delegation was led by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal and included Leader of the House in Senate Shibli Faraz as well as Senators Ayub Afridi and Mirza Muhammad Khan Afridi.

Speaking to the media, the Balochistan chief minister said he had met Fazl because though moving a no-confidence motion against the Senate chairman was a constitutional right, he feared it would set an undesirable precedent.

“We want to take steps for the betterment of the situation,” he added.

“The chairman of the Senate is elected after every three years. If this takes places [the de-seating of Sanjrani], it’s going to start happening after every three to four months.”

Kamal, who is also the leader of the Balochistan Awami Party, lauded the performance of the chairman, maintaining that Sanjrani was running the house well.

“The future of politics should not be affected over a few differences.”

The Balochistan chief minister said he expected the JUI-F chief to change his mind and also convince other opposition parties to reconsider as well.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Fazl diplomatically made it clear that he was in no mood to change his mind.

“The decision to move a no-confidence motion against the Senate chairman was taken at the all parties conference,” he said.

“I welcome their [the delegation’s] arrival but their recommendations weren’t beneficial,” he added.

“There should be recommendations on which consultations can be held with several opposition parties.”

Senator Shibli Faraz of the PTI said the ruling party and its allies were ready for the vote in the Senate.

“We have walked up to Maulana sahib to bring an end to this situation and protect the sanctity of the Senate,” he added.

According to sources, the delegation will also meet Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to request them to withdraw the motion.