The ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is all set to appoint Senator Farhatullah Babar as new Leader of the House in Senate after taking allied parties into confidence within a few days, it is learnt. The position of leader of the house is lying vacant after Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, who has been appointed as new chairman Senate following March 2 elections to Upper House of Parliament.
The parliamentary sources revealed that Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani would appoint newly elected PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar as Leader of the House in Senate next week as most of the coalition partners had already agreed to his appointment. The Awami National Party (ANP) sources added it had given a go ahead to the PPP when Babar's name surfaced. However, another meeting in this regard with all the coalition partners would take place in the Presidency next week.
Sources further revealed that the PML-Q was the only coalition partner which had been moving from pillar to post in a bid to dominate the Upper House by clinching an extremely robust slot after majority of its senators retired. The top leadership of the PML-Q including Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain tried its level best to pave the way for nominating its newly elected Senator Rubina Irfan from Balochistan, sources added.
A senior parliamentarian privy to the development on condition of anonymity said that the Chaudhry's cousins remained very active from day one but luck did not seem to be favouring them this time as the PPP turned down the name of Kamil Ali Agha for the said slot.
When contacted, Senator Farhatllah Babar rejected speculative reports of his appointment and added that a decision would be taken after holding a meeting with all coalition partners soon. However, sources maintained that Babar's name was finalised. They further claimed when Babar was informed about the party's decision, he at first had shown some reservations in accepting the slot as he wanted to continue as Presidential spokesman.