Ex-Pakistan PM, Yousuf Raza Gillani Elected as Senate Chairman

Former Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gillani (File Image)

Asif Iqbal | April 9, 2024 | 01:45 PM IST | Asia, Pakistan News, World | Follow on Google News

Ex-Pakistan PM, Yousuf Raza Gillani Elected as Senate Chairman

Ex-Pakistan PM, Yousuf Raza Gillani Elected as Senate Chairman

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Syedal Khan Nasir have assumed pivotal roles as Pakistan’s Senate chairman and deputy chairman, as reported by Dawn on Tuesday. Senate Secretary Qasim Samad Khan confirmed their election to these top positions in the upper house of Pakistan’s parliament.

Yousuf Raza Gillani Elected as Senate Chairman:New Senators Sworn In Amidst Protest

As many as 41 newly elected Senators were sworn in as members of the House during a session of Pakistan’s Senate on Tuesday. The lawmakers took oath amidst protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. Despite the protests, the senators also signed the roll of members in the upper house of Pakistan’s Parliament.

The floor of the House witnessed objections from PTI Senator Ali Zafar, who called for the postponement of the session where the chairperson and deputy chairperson would be elected until the Senate elections are held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Zafar reiterated PTI’s stance of non-participation in the election process for the Senate leadership.

Earlier in March, Pakistan’s upper house faced dysfunctionality following the retirement of half of its members. This month, elections were conducted in Islamabad, Punjab, and Sindh, though they were not held in PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The delay in Senate polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stemmed from provincial assembly Speaker Babar Swati’s refusal to administer the oath to opposition lawmakers on reserved seats, as per the Dawn report.

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition emerged victorious in the Senate elections, securing 19 seats. Consequently, the ruling coalition in the center now commands 59 of the 85 seats, according to Dawn’s report.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who clinched a win in a technocrat seat from Islamabad on April 2, assumed the role of the presiding officer for the first session of the Senate, according to Dawn. However, PTI Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand raised objections to Dar presiding over the Senate session, arguing that the presiding officer should be someone who was already a Senator.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.