Senate Chairman slot: Sanjrani likely to be PTI, PPP candidate

ISLAMABAD: With the political maneuvering at its peak, Sadiq Sanjrani is emerging as the opposition’s consensus candidate for the office of the Senate chairman.

Sanjrani has the blessings of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, while the PPP has yet to give its final word though it seemingly agrees to lend him the required support.

According to sources, the Pakistan People’s Party in its meeting also considered the option of supporting the candidate from Balochistan for chairman and getting its candidate elected as the deputy chairman.

However, sources said the PPP will nail its colours to the mast on Sunday (today).

Earlier in the day, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his willingness to elect a candidate from Balochistan for the slot of the chairman Senate and tweeted, “The PPP always fought, sacrificed and delivered on empowering the federation. From devolution to the CPEC, we’ve patronized Balochistan. The Senate chairman from Balochistan sounds like a good idea. Will consult with my party and allies on names for chairman and deputy.”

Sources said prior to the meeting with Chairman PTI Imran Khan, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo met with the PPP Parliamentarians President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and discussed with them the option of bringing the chairman from Balochistan.

Names of Sadiq Sanjrani and Anwarul Haq Kakar came under discussion during the meeting.

Sources said there were indications in the meeting that consensus was emerging on the name of Sadiq Sanjrani as chairman and Salim Mandviwala as the deputy chairman Senate.

However, no formal agreement was made in the meeting.

Following his meeting with Zardari, Bizenjo met the PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

During the meeting on Saturday, Imran Khan said his party will support Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo panel for the coveted offices of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman.

Later while addressing a news conference with Bizenjo, Imran said it would be a great achievement if, for the first time in the country’s history, the Senate chairman was elected from Balochistan.

The names of Anwarul Haq Kakar and Sadiq Sanjrani are under consideration for the two key slots. Both are from Balochistan and Imran has been informed about them.

Leading a Jirga, Bizenjo called on Imran here. Others present on the occasion included Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Jehangir Tareen and Fawad Chaudhry.

Imran has already left it to Bizenjo to decide names for the posts of the chairman and deputy chairman and assured him that his senators would support them in the Senate.

Bizenjo told journalists that the PTI's initiative to take the first step to support a candidate from Balochistan was appreciable.

He said they had a meeting with Imran and other leaders of the party where Bizenjo requested for their support to the panel.

"Imran Khan Sahib and PTI get first credit for lending their support to us, and we also value the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for appreciating the prospect of a Senate chairman from Balochistan,” Bizenjo said.

"Bilawal sahib, I believe, tweeted last night that his party is ready to make a sacrifice for Balochistan and we value this gesture," Bizenjo said.

He added that the preferable nominations for the position will be Senators Anwarul Haq Kakar and Sadiq Sanjrani.

Imran made it clear that he would leave no stone unturned to bar Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) from clinching the Senate chairman post.

He felicitated the Balochistan CM in advance for selection of his candidate for the post of Senate chairman.

In a statement, PTI spokesperson said as per commitment they would support the independent senators-elect nominees for the posts of chairman and deputy chairman and support them if they decided to back any party's candidate for the post of deputy chairman, including the PPP.

He appreciated the fact that their stance on giving due representation to smaller provinces was accepted.

Meanwhile, Imran said the upcoming general elections will be the most decisive electoral exercise in Pakistan's history.

He again ruled out the possibility of joining hands with Nawaz Sharif or Asif Zardari.

"The PTI will be facing the entire corrupt mafia in the elections," he said in a speech here at a social media summit of the party.

Imran alleged that the PML-N had spent money to get ahead in the social media race, emulating his party they had now focused on the social media.

"We will bring new ideas forward but I won't share them just yet lest Maryam Nawaz copies them," he said.

He said the PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif had also started claiming he will create 'naya [new] Pakistan' — a slogan that the PTI was known for.