Senate top slots: PML-N seeks ‘win-win formula’ for all

PPP summons meeting of its allies today to devise strategy

ISLAMABAD:

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appears to have conceded to Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) numerical superiority in the Senate and secretly asked it to develop a proposal agreeable to all the three major alliances contesting for the top slots in the upper house of the parliament, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The PML-N leadership, after contacting political leaders, on Saturday floated the name of National Party’s (NP) Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo for the office of Senate chairman. However, the proposed nominee received a lukewarm response, particularly from the PPP.

Now, as the stalemate continues, the PPP has summoned a meeting of its allies today (Monday) to devise a strategy for the elections of Senate chairman and his deputy.

PPP leader Farhatullah Babar confirmed that the PPP has summoned a meeting of its allies – the BNP-Awami, PML-Q, MQM, ANP, JUI-F as well as independent senators from Fata. “The PPP along with allies will decide its strategy for the elections,” he said.

According to sources, the PML-N will hold a meeting on Tuesday and devise its strategy on the basis of what the PPP decides today. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said the PML-N would finalise its nominees on Tuesday. “We are still in contact with other political groups and are considering all available options,” he added.

The PPP, which has the support of 41 senators, is hopeful to gain support of 54 senators with formal inclusion of MQM’s eight and JUI-F’s five senators in today’s meeting.

If the PPP desires to get hold of both the top seats in the Senate, then it will have to give more to both the parties ¬– MQM and JUI-F – which collectively have 13 senators.

However, the PPP also has another win-win formula through which it can avoid demands of the two political groups. Sources said the PPP may strike a deal with the ruling PML-N by retaining Senate’s chairmanship and offering the PML-N the deputy chairman’s slot.

Through this deal the PPP can not only give a message that it is still alive and its role is significant as it holds the top position in the upper house of the parliament but can also offer face-saving to the PML-N and avoid blackmailing by smaller groups.

The PML-N commands the support of 33 senators, including 26 of its own, three each of NP and PkMAP and one of PML-F. However, of these 33 senators, two will not be able to cast vote as the notification of their victory is withheld under court ruling.

The party is in talks with the MQM, PML-Q, ANP, JUI-F and independent senators to garner their support. Sources said the party has also asked the PPP to come up with a proposal favourable to all three major alliances in the Senate.

The PTI has support of seven senators, including six from the party and one from Jamaat-e-Islami. The PTI can field its own candidate against the PPP and the PML-N’s candidates for top slots, while alleging the bigger parties of underhand dealings.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2015.