PPP’s Waqar Mehdi wins Senate seat from Sindh

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh General Secretary Syed Waqar Mehdi secured victory in the by-election held at the provincial assembly on Tuesday to fill the vacant Senate general seat from the province. The seat had fallen vacant due to the death of senior PPP leader Senator Taj Haider.

Polling for the seat was held from 9am to 4pm without any interruption. A total of 149 of the 161 PA members eligible to vote participated. Two of the votes were rejected. The PPP emerged victorious in the by-poll owing to its comfortable majority in the house.

Mehdi secured 111 votes while his rival contender from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Nighat Mirza, clinched only 36 votes. Provincial Election Commissioner Ejaz Anwar Chauhan, who acted as the returning officer for the by-poll, later announced the result.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah congratulated Mehdi on his victory. Shah said in his statement that Mehdi’s win clearly reflects the public’s trust in the PPP. He said that under the dynamic leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the party has become an unbeatable political force.

The CM emphasised that the PPP is continuously achieving success on both public and parliamentary fronts. He pointed out that no other political party in the country enjoys the level of popularity that the PPP does.

Sindh Minister for Energy and Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah congratulated Syed Waqar Mehdi on becoming senator.

In his statement, he said Mehdi’s election as senator is a victory for democracy. He added that Mehdi’s services for the promotion of democracy have borne fruit. He expressed confidence that Waqar Mehdi will represent Sindh excellently in the Senate.

Shah further said that another loyalist of the Peoples Party has been elected to the Senate.

Speaker Sindh Assembly Syed Awais Qadir Shah also congratulated Waqar Mehdi on being elected as senator. He said Mehdi’s success was a clear proof of democratic process and public trust in the PPP.

He further said that the PPP was a party that upheld the ideology of its martyred leaders and democratic values. Shah said the transparent conduct of the Senate by-elections was a proof of the professional performance of the Election Commission.

He also thanked the member of assembly who played an important role in Mehdi’s success.

PPP MNA Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah also congratulated Waqar Mehdi on his election to the Senate.

According to statement, Shah stated Mehdi’s victory was a triumph for the PPP and the people. He expressed confidence that Mehdi will serve the country and democracy in line with the PPP’s traditions.