Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Wednesday reached an understanding for seat adjustment in upcoming Senate elections in Sindh. Sources in both parties told Business Recorder that under the agreement, seven out of the 12 Senate seats will go to the PPP, four to the MQM and one to Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F).
Consensus was evolved during meetings held at Sindh Assembly building and then at Chief Minister House, the sources said. As per the agreement, two out of nine PPP candidates will withdraw their nomination papers in favour of MQM candidates, they added.
On Wednesday PPP's Dr Kareem Khawaja withdrew his nomination paper filed for technocrat seat. They said PPP candidates Rashid Rabbani and Shahida Rehmani will also withdraw their nomination papers. According to the drawn up formula, PPP's Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will be joint candidate of the coalition partners on technocrat seat, Haram Ram Kashori Lal on minority seat, Mian Raza Rabbani, Mukhtiar Ahmed (Aajiz Dhamrah), Saeed Ghani and Dr Kareem Khuwaja on general seats, sources said.
MQM's Barrister Farogh Naseem will be joint candidate on technocrat seat, Nasreen Jalil on women seat and Mustafa Kamal and Kanwar Naveed Jamil on general seats. PML-F's Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah will be joint candidate of the coalition partners on a general seat. When contacted, MQM's Spokesperson Qamar Mansoor confirmed the deal.