PML-N’s Sindhu gets more than coalition votes

Provincial Minister Khalil Tahir Sindhu, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for the minority seat of the Senate in Punjab, defied expectations by securing five more votes than the total votes of the ruling coalition.

Despite the ruling alliance boasting 248 members in the Punjab Assembly, Sindhu managed to garner a record-breaking 253 votes, including five votes from members of the Sunni Ittehad Council.

Sindhu's extensive involvement as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the Punjab Assembly, coupled with his amicable relations with certain opposition members, played a pivotal role in securing additional votes from unexpected quarters.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Aurangzeb also exceeded expectations by obtaining four extra votes for the technocrat seat of the Senate.

However, the tides turned for Federal Minister for Petroleum Mussadiq Malik, who lost three votes on the second seat of the Technocrat. Initial projections anticipated Finance Minister Aurangzeb and Mussadiq Malik to receive votes from 124 members each, but Malik fell short with only 121 votes. Similarly, Bushra Anjum Butt lost one vote on the women's seat.

The Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) 15 votes proved instrumental in ensuring success for the PML-N on the technocrat and women's seats.

In light of the potential risk of party members voting against their respective party's directives, the opposition decided to partake in the Senate elections unopposed, further shaping the dynamics of the voting process.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2024.