PML-N picks Sindhu for Senate polls

The PML-N has nominated Provincial Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu for the seat reserved for minorities in the Senate from Punjab for the upper house polls slated for April 2.

Sindhu was directed by the party leadership to submit his nomination papers for the Senate seat at the closing hours on Saturday.

He has been issued a party ticket to run for the Senate seat. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the president of the PML-N, congratulated him for receiving the ticket.

The PML-N did not give the ticket for the seat for minorities to former senator Kamran Michael this time.
Michael has served as a PML-N senator on a seat for minorities from 2012 to 2024.

Former PML-N senators Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Dr Asif Kirmani were also not given Senate tickets this time as well.

Other prominent PML-N leader who have been ignored for the Senate polls include  Khawaja Saad Rafique, Rana Sanaullah, Khurram Dastgir and Javed Latif.

A PML-N insider told The Express Tribune that there was much resentment within the party for choosing “outsiders” over loyalists for the Senate seats.

However, Sindhu is certainly no outsider. Sindhu, who is currently serving as a provincial minister, has remained a member of the Punjab Assembly from 2008 to 2024.

During this period, he has held the provincial portfolios of health, minority affairs, finance, parliamentary affairs and human rights.

He was also the PML-N chief whip in the previous Punjab Assembly.