PPP, JUI-F join hands for Senate polls

JUI-F agrees to back Gilani in Senate by-polls.

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have forged an alliance for the upcoming Senate elections.

Addressing a press conference alongside Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani and JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Bukhari revealed that PPP will throw its weight behind the JUI-F candidate for the Senate polls in Balochistan, reciprocated by JUI-F's support for Yousaf Raza Gillani in Islamabad.

Highlighting the importance of the Senate by-election scheduled for March 14, Bukhari underscored that Balochistan's three Senate seats have been vacated, prompting JUI-F's appeal for PPP's backing in the province.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, speaking on the occasion, clarified that while JUI-F would refrain from direct involvement in government formation, it would actively fulfil its role within the parliament.

Echoing similar sentiments, Yusuf Raza Gillani emphasised the mutual support between the two parties, affirming their commitment to collaborative efforts within the house.

“We are supporting to each other for the parliament and will work in tandem in the house,” Gillani said.

Read also: JUI-F announces it will sit on opposition benches

The six seats in the general category became vacant as senators stepped down from their positions, having been elected as members of the National Assembly or provincial assemblies in Sindh and Balochistan. Specifically, one seat opened up in the federal capital, two in Sindh, and three in Balochistan.

In addition, the Election Commission of Pakistan has declared that a poll will be held on April 2 to fill 48 vacant seats in the Senate.

Earlier on Tuesday, a delegation led by JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri convened with former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani and other PPP senators, including Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani.

Discussions during the meeting centred around the prevailing political landscape in the country and the upcoming Senate by-polls.

Post-session, Gillani declared the alliance between the two parties, underscoring the importance of mutual cooperation in navigating the forthcoming political challenges.

He also expressed gratitude for the continued engagement with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, extending a warm welcome to his party's delegation.

Read: ECP announces schedule for Senate polls

Meanwhile, nine candidates including, Alia Hamza from PTI and Kamran Michael from PML-N, received nomination papers for participating in the Senate election from Punjab.

Alia Hamza’s nomination papers for the Senate candidacy in Punjab were submitted to the election commissioner’s office by her husband, Jameel Malik.

Alia Hamza and Kamran Michael received nomination papers from the provincial election commissioner.

In Punjab, elections are being held for 7 general seats, 2 women seats, 2 technocrats’ seats, and one minority seat. The schedule for the Senate elections will be announced on March 14.

Candidates interested in contesting the elections have been asked to obtain nomination papers from the ECP headquarters and provincial election commissioners of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Nomination papers can be deposited with the relevant returning officers on March 15 and 16. The ECP will issue the schedule on March 14.

(With input from APP)