All eyes on chairman, deputy chairman posts after Senate polls

ISLAMABAD: Political maneuvering has not been halted in the corridors of power in Pakistan after the conclusion of much talked about Senate elections as all eyes are now on the key posts of chairman and deputy chairman of the upper house of Parliament.

Both the leading parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – are hopeful to enjoy the privilege after bagging 26 and 27 seats respectively in the Senate polls.

Raja Zafarul Haq and Ishaq Dar of PML-N and PPP’s Rehman Malik and Farooq Naek are being largely considered as the front-runners for the posts.

According to unofficial results, the PPP has retained its spot as the largest party but lost its strength in the Senate with only 27 seats now as compared to its previous 40 seats. The ruling PML-N has emerged as the second largest party with 26 seats.

The Senate comprises of 104 legislators. The six-year term of office 52 Senators is due to expire on March 11, and elections were held on Thursday to fill these seats.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, whose party managed to bag six seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has vowed not to vote for the candidates of both PML-N and PPP.