Senate race heats up as K-P battle begins

Polling set for July 21 amid shifting alliances

PESHAWAR:

The race for 11 vacant Senate seats from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has officially begun, with the Election Commission of Pakistan announcing the polling schedule following the notification of reserved seats in the provincial assembly. The polling is set to take place on July 21 inside the K-P Assembly.

The vacant positions include seven general seats, two technocrat seats, and two reserved for women, drawing a mix of seasoned politicians and new contenders. High-profile figures such as former federal minister Azam Khan Swati, Murad Saeed—a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader currently in hiding—Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, and the son of Federal Minister Amir Muqam are among those who have submitted nomination papers.

A total of 16 candidates are vying for the seven general seats, with PTI-backed candidates contesting as independents due to the party's ongoing legal and political challenges. The general seat hopefuls include Asif Rafiq, Azhar Mashwani, Khurram Zeeshan, Dilawar Khan, Shafqat Ayaz, Irfan Saleem, Faisal Javed, Faizur Rehman, Muhammad Azam Swati, Muhammad Waqas Arakzai, Murad Saeed, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, and Pir Noorul Haq Qadri—all running independently. Party-nominated candidates include Niaz Ahmad from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muhammad Talha Mehmood from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Attaul Haq Darwesh representing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).

Meanwhile, competition for the two women's reserved seats has also intensified, with four candidates in the fray. Rubina Khalid has been nominated by the PPP, while Rubina Naz, Ayesha Bano, and Mehwish Ali Khan are running as independents.

The contest for the two technocrat seats is equally competitive, with six candidates in the field. Among them are independent candidates Khalid Masood, Syed Irshad Hussain, Azam Swati, Noorul Haq Qadri, and Waqar Ahmad Qazi. JUI-F has fielded Dilawar Khan as its sole candidate for this category.

Based on the current numerical strength of parties in the provincial assembly, analysts expect the ruling coalition to secure seven of the eleven seats—including five general, one women's, and one technocrat seat. The opposition is projected to win four seats, likely divided into two general, one women's, and one technocrat seat.

However, the final outcome remains uncertain as negotiations and behind-the-scenes maneuvering continue among opposition parties, each aiming to increase their share of representation in the upper house. The run-up to the July 21 Senate elections is expected to remain tense, with shifting alliances and unexpected withdrawals potentially altering the final lineup.

Currently, the opposition holds a significant presence in the provincial assembly, with JUI-F occupying 19 seats, PML-N 16, PPP 11, ANP three, and PTI Parliamentarians also holding three seats.

Following the recent implementation of decisions regarding reserved seats, the strength of the opposition bloc in the assembly has risen to 52 members.