Sanjrani nominated for Senate chairmanship again

ISLAMABAD: The incumbent Senate Chairman, Sadiq Sanjrani, was on Thursday nominated by the ruling alliance for his re-election that will take place on March 12.

Ater a meeting with Sanjrani and Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaf (PTI) leaders, Prime Minister Imran Khan made the announcement.

Minister for Information Shibli Faraz also tweeted that Imran Khan has named Sanjrani as the government’s candidate for the contest for the Senate chief.

It was, however, stated earlier that many PTI leader did not support Sanjrani as the next Senate chairman and wanted the leadership to nominate a genuine party activist or member for the coveted slot. But they were cautioned that if the PTI did not pick up Sanjrani, it could face a similar situation which it confronted in the election of the Senate seat from Islamabad ater fielding Dr Hafeez Shaikh against Yousuf Raza Gilani.

On the other hand, they believed if the PTI did not back Sanjrani, then this act would annoy the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which is now the fourth largest party in the Senate and second largest party ater the PTI in the ruling alliance.

The much-hyped Senate election process was completed a day earlier ater which all eyes are now set on the coming election for the key offices of chairman and deputy chairman of the upper house.

Ater staging an upset in the Senate elections, the opposition parties have managed to retain their majority in the upper house of parliament and are now hopeful of geting the top offices of chairman and deputy chairman.

According to a media report, ruling party Member of National Assembly, Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, has came to the radar of the prime minister over the mater of alleged horse trading in recent Senate election, quoting sources.

Bharwana, a PTI MNA from Jhang, however, refuted allegations of violation of the party’s discipline.

Also on Thursday, PTI has issued show cause notices to two of its Sindh Assembly members over violation of the party’s discipline. The PTI has issued show cause notices to Aslam Abro and Shaharyar Shar MPAS over the breach of the party discipline.

Salman Atab, PTI’S chairman standing committee for discipline and accountability, has put the two members on notice over casting their votes in the Senate election against the party’s decision.

The party commitee has also directed for disciplinary action against Aslam Abro and Shaharyar Shar within seven days.

Two members of the Sindh Assembly had cast their votes against the party’s candidates for Senate seats from Sindh in recent election.