Senate chairman's seat: there's too much wheeling and dealing

There is a lot of wheeling and dealing over the choice of candidates for the Senate chairmanship. According to sources, the 15 independent candidates mostly from Balochistan and Fata are likely to play an important role in the Senate Chairman's elections.
`The PML-N which had emerged as the top party of the Senate is also likely to face difficulties in the process of electing its Senate Chairman as it had only support of around 48 senators and further needed support of other members to have simple majority in the house of 104 members. On the other hand, PPP is also eyeing the top slot of the Senate with the support of 40 votes and has approached the Balochistan and other independent candidates for the support.
"The PML-N had to acquire support of MQM-P and some of the independent candidates," they said adding that the PTI decision to take a solo flight in the Senate polls would also likely benefit PML-N. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) has claimed to have the support of all eight newly-elected independent senators who had revolted against the PML-N coalition government in Balochistan two months ago, sources within the party said on Sunday.
According to the party sources, the independent candidates have assured their support to the PPP. The independent candidates can play a crucial role in the coming election for the offices of Senate chairman and deputy chairman. The overall strength of PML-N in Senate has increased to 33 after securing 15 seats, closely followed by the PPP with 20 seats, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The PPP has secured 12 Senate seats in total with 10 from Sindh province.
A delegation of the party led by Dr Abdul Qayoom Soomro has held conclusive meetings with the newly-elected Senators from Balochistan in Quetta, sources said. With support of the independent Senators, the PPP is expected to maintain its position in the upper house.
The winning independent candidates on general seats are: Anwarul Haq Kakar, Ahmed Khan Khilji, Mir Sadiq Sanjrani and Khuda Babar Askani. Meanwhile, Sana Jamali (Independent) was elected on women seat, besides Nasibullah Bazai (Independent) was elected on technocrats' seat.