PMLN likely to clinch Senate chairman’s post, PPP NA speaker

Sources say PPP wants its man to be speaker of NA and has sought post of speaker from the Muslim League

By Rana Ghulam Qadir
February 16, 2024
Pakistani security and media officials gather in front of the Parliament House building in Islamabad. —AFP/File
Pakistani security and media officials gather in front of the Parliament House building in Islamabad. —AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: Discussions are going on between the Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for cooperation on constitutional positions.

According to sources, the PPP wants its man to be the speaker of the National Assembly and has sought the post of speaker from the Muslim League.

The post of deputy speaker will be given to PMLN. There are two candidates for the post of speaker in PPP. Former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani is a strong candidate for speakership. He is also very close to Asif Ali Zardari.

According to sources, Yusuf Raza Gilani has more chances. The tradition is that if the speaker is from Punjab, the deputy speaker is taken from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Earlier, Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Faisal Karim Kundi and Zahid Akram Durrani were the deputy speakers. Sardar Muhammad Yusuf, the successful candidate of PMLN from Hazara Division, is likely to be made the deputy speaker of the National Assembly after Murtaza Javed Abbasi of PMLN lost the election.

The post of chairman Senate will be given to PMLN. Ishaq Dar will be a candidate for chairman Senate if he does not become the finance minister. Otherwise, Azam Nazir Tarar will be the PMLN candidate.

The post of deputy chairman of Senate is traditionally given to Balochistan. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Jan Jamali, Sabir Baloch and Noor Jahan Panizai have held this position. According to sources, the post of deputy chairman of the Senate will be given to Balochistan this time as well. Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is likely to get this position.

Sources said the PPP has asked for the governorship of Punjab. Qamar Zaman Kaira will be the PPP candidate for the governorship. The names of Nadeem Afzal Chan and Aslam Gul are also being considered.

MQM has sought the post of governor Sindh. The PPP has expressed reservations about MQM’s governor. The MQM has said if the Peoples Party opposes it, they will not vote for Asif Ali Zardari for the presidency.

There is a strong possibility that MQM’s Kamran Tessori will continue working as Sindh Governor.