PM gives nod to Raza Rabbani's nomination as Senate chairman
PM says the new Senate slots should be made through consensus of all political parties
PHOTO: AFP/ EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday forged consensus on Pakistan Peoples Party's proposed candidate Senator Raza Rabbani for the Senate’s top slot.
"Raza Rabbani is more than acceptable to us as proposed by the PPP," the premier said, while addressing a lunch of heads of all political parties at the PM House.
Claiming that his ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, wants all parties to work together, Prime Minister Nawaz said, "We want the new Senate chairman to be appointed through a consensus of all political parties."
Read: Senate elections: It’s a near tie! - PPP, PML-N share sweepstakes
Lamenting the fact that he was excluded from a dinner hosted by PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the nomination of the Senate chairman, Nawaz said, "It would have been nice if Zardari invited us as we invited everyone, including him but he couldn't come because of prior engagements."
"If any one party has absolute majority then they have a right to bring their candidate as Senate chairman or deputy chairman. But we should all work together for the appointment," he added.
Earlier, The Express Tribune had learnt that Nawaz had called the lunch to formally ask PPP to forge consensus on its proposed candidate.
Read:Luncheon meeting: Nawaz to host political parties’ heads today
Sources said the PML-N decided to concede to the PPP’s superiority in the Senate and support consensus candidates for the top jobs in the Upper House of Parliament after it failed to muster support of smaller groups, which have presented a long list of demands.
Following the premier's nod, Raza Rabbani is visiting the premier at the PM House in Islamabad, according to Express News.
Political leaders of various parties have hailed the decision of the Prime Minister to endorse the name of Mian Raza Rabbani as new chairman of the Senate.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday forged consensus on Pakistan Peoples Party's proposed candidate Senator Raza Rabbani for the Senate’s top slot.
"Raza Rabbani is more than acceptable to us as proposed by the PPP," the premier said, while addressing a lunch of heads of all political parties at the PM House.
Claiming that his ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, wants all parties to work together, Prime Minister Nawaz said, "We want the new Senate chairman to be appointed through a consensus of all political parties."
Read: Senate elections: It’s a near tie! - PPP, PML-N share sweepstakes
Lamenting the fact that he was excluded from a dinner hosted by PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the nomination of the Senate chairman, Nawaz said, "It would have been nice if Zardari invited us as we invited everyone, including him but he couldn't come because of prior engagements."
"If any one party has absolute majority then they have a right to bring their candidate as Senate chairman or deputy chairman. But we should all work together for the appointment," he added.
Earlier, The Express Tribune had learnt that Nawaz had called the lunch to formally ask PPP to forge consensus on its proposed candidate.
Read:Luncheon meeting: Nawaz to host political parties’ heads today
Sources said the PML-N decided to concede to the PPP’s superiority in the Senate and support consensus candidates for the top jobs in the Upper House of Parliament after it failed to muster support of smaller groups, which have presented a long list of demands.
Following the premier's nod, Raza Rabbani is visiting the premier at the PM House in Islamabad, according to Express News.
Political leaders of various parties have hailed the decision of the Prime Minister to endorse the name of Mian Raza Rabbani as new chairman of the Senate.