PPP looking to preserve strength in Senate

ISLAMABAD: To keep its strength in the Senate intact, the PPP prevented its three Senators — Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nisar Khoro and Jam Mehtab — from taking oath as MNA and MPAs.

The step is being taken in view of the upcoming Senate elections and also for Senate chairman elections as out of 21 senators, PPP’s 12 Senators will retire on March 11.

The tenure of Senators Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nisar Khoro and Jam Mehtab will expire in March 2027. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilini have been elected for National Assembly and Nisar Khoro and Jam Mehtab for provincial assembly of Sindh.

As in 2024 Senate elections, the PPP will suffer a loss as out of 21 senators, 12 will retire while nine senators have a tenure till 2027.

PPP is in a position to have 9 to 10 senators from Sindh and 2 to 3 senators from Balochistan and will have 13 senators in Senate election of 2024.

Following the upcoming senate election, the PPP will be able to keep its strength of 22 senators.

The three PPP Senators Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nisar Khoro and Jam Mehtab if opt to leave the Senate, PPP will suffer a loss of three seats before the Presidential election and their strength will reduce to 18 and out which 12 will retire on March 12, 2024.

Under the power sharing formula with the PMLN that was agreed last week, the PPP will get the post of Senate Chairman and PMLN will have Senate deputy chairman.

According to sources, PPP has chosen Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for the post of Senate chairman. The formal announcement in this regard will be made within next few days. The sources said though Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to keep its NA-148 seat in the National Assembly but party wanted him to continue with the Senate.

Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has won the Senate election from Islamabad as joint candidate of opposition in 2021 when he defeated PTI candidate Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was elected from NA-148 Multan, will vacate the NA seat and in place it is expected that his younger son will contest the by-elections.

If Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani gets elected Senate chairman, he will have a unique record of serving at top three constitutional posts as Speaker National Assembly, Prime Minister and Senate Chairman.

Though Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani also contested the election of Senate Chairman against Sanjrani in 2021 but he technically lost the elections after his seven votes were declared invalid by then Presiding officer and Senate Sadiq Sanjrani was elected as Senate Chairman.