Gilani Nominated for Senate Chairman, Key Election on April 9

The upper house of the Parliament is set to convene on April 9 for the swearing-in of newly-elected members and the election of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman. President Asif Ali Zardari has called for the session in Islamabad, exercising his constitutional powers. The Senate, comprising 96 members, will witness the oath-taking of 85 senators, with elections for the remaining seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa postponed. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has put forward Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani as its nominee for the chairman Senate position, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is yet to announce a candidate for deputy chairman.

In terms of support, Gilani has garnered backing from a coalition of parties, including PPP, PML-N, BAP, ANP, and independents, totaling 54 votes. With potential support from MQM-Pakistan and JUIF senators, the ruling coalition appears poised for a comfortable victory. On the opposition front, PTI has secured support from 20 senators, with additional backing from BNP and PML-Q, amounting to 22 votes. The decision of JUI-F could potentially sway the balance, with the opposition currently holding 27 members.

The Senate session is crucial for the political landscape, as the election of top posts will shape the dynamics within the upper house. With both the ruling coalition and opposition strategizing their moves, the outcome of the chairman and deputy chairman elections will have a significant impact on the future proceedings of the Senate.