Nawaz backs PPP's Raza Rabbani for Senate chairman
Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting of ruling PML-N's allies in Islamabad today.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Former premier Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would back Senator Raza Rabbani as Senate Chairman if Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) continues with the lawmaker as its candidate.
Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting of ruling party’s allies including Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Mir Hasil Bizenjo and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, in Islamabad and discussed multiple names under consideration for candidates for Senate chairman and deputy chairman.
The participants discussed possibility of approaching independently elected senators from Balochistan province to have them support PML-N’s candidate.
Read also: PML-N dominates Senate despite PPP surprise
While addressing the participants, Nawaz reportedly recommended that a joint candidate should be fielded for Senate chairman. On the occasion, Nawaz vowed that PML-N would always work alongside its allies.
However, he said that if PPP fields Raza Rabbani for another term, PML-N would back him.
In a casual talk with media personnel following the meeting, National Party chief bizenjo claimed that the allies were confident over the number game and the parties have support of 54 senators.
On the other hand, members belonging to PML-N have approached senators from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to gain their support for Senate chairman election.
Reportedly, Amir Muqam of PML-N approached Sajjad Toori haling from FATA and deliberated over the current situation.
However, sources reported that FATA senators have demanded appointment of the chairman who hails from FATA. FATA senators were approached by PPP as well.
In an exlcusive talk with Dunya News, Sajjad Toori said that senators hailing from the tribal areas are in talks with both PML-N and PPP while the lawmakers are continuing with their deliberation as well.
He further said that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was to convene a meeting with him today.
Earlier today, Zardari asserted that PPP would retain the chairmanship in Senate. He said: “Next chairman of Senate will be ours and the next government will be of Peoples Party.”
