-PDM decides to give the office of deputy chairman Senate to JUI-F
-Govt mulls nominating Ejaz Chaudhary for Senate deputy chairman slot
-Information Minister says opposition’s politics centered on making money
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: MNA Ali Nawaz Awan has challenged the victory of Yousaf Raza Gilani in IHC after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday rejected the plea seeking a stay on the victory notification of former prime minister Gilani as a Senator.
The victory of Gilani was challenged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI).
During the hearing on the matter of former premier’s son Ali Haider Gillani’s video scandal, PTI lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar, Parliamentary Leader for Railways Farrukh Habib and member of National Assembly (MNA) Kanwal Shauzab appeared before the commission and recorded their arguments.
Barrister Ali Zafar claimed that rigging was carried out during the Senate polls through money and party tickets. Evidence of rigging was found a day before the elections, he said. The member of ECP in Punjab said that PTI lawyer has already provided the transcript of the leaked video. Punjab member asked about making those who were offered money as party in the case over which, Barrister Ali Zafar said that they cannot be made party but the court can call them as witnesses.
The one who takes a bribe and the one who gives it, both are accused, Punjab member said.
The ECP while directing the PTI leaders to club all the pleas a petition and submit it again with the electoral body. Those who took the money and those who gave must be made respondents in the petition, the ECP directed.
Meanwhile in the day PTI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ali Nawaz Awan has challenged the victory of Yousaf Raza Gilani in Senate elections in Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The PTI lawmaker filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) through his counsel Adnan Iqbal Advocate to challenge the victory of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) joint candidate Yousaf Raza Gilani in Senate elections on Islamabad seat.
It read that Gilani is a convicted person, hence ineligible for the Upper House.
It pleaded to nullify the victory notification of Gillani as he committed rigging in Senate polls. The petitioner sought the high court for the annulment of the Senate polls held on March 3.
Yousaf Raza Gilani, Ali Haider Gilani and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have been made parties in the case.
Meanwhile in the day a meeting of the steering committee of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) decided to give the office of deputy chairman Senate to the JUI-F.
The session of the PDM steering committee concluded after deciding about the offices of the deputy chairman and the opposition leader in the Senate.
The PDM meeting chaired by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, formed a committee to decide about the offices of deputy chairman Senate and the leader of the opposition.
The committee headed by PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, also comprised of Jamaldini, Usman Kakar, Akram Khan Durrani and Hafiz Abdul Khalil.
Agencies added, the committee in its session yesterday decided to give the deputy chairman’s office to the JUI-F and the leader of the opposition’s seat to the PML-N.
According to details the opposition alliance’s chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will formally announce the decision.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday chaired an important party leaders meeting to discuss matters related to upcoming Senate chairman, deputy chairman polls and NA-249 Karachi by-poll.
The PTI leaders informed the prime minister about contacts made with allies for Senate chairman and deputy chairman polls.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan mulled over the name of PTI leader and newly elected Senator from Punjab Ejaz Chaudhry as a government-backed candidate for the Senate deputy chairman position.
The meeting also decided to take federal coalition parties into confidence regarding the finalize of a candidate for Senate deputy chairman office.
During the meeting, matters pertaining to the NA-249 by-poll also came under discussion. The meeting mulled over names of issuing a party ticket to a candidate for the Karachi by-poll.
The final decision regarding PTI candidate for NA-249-by-poll will be taken by PTI parliamentary board formed.
Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz has said that the opposition’s politics is centered on making money, and then using that money to buy people’s conscience.
Talking to media after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Shibli Faraz said that the government pushed to hold Senate election through open ballot to make them transparent but the opposition showed its hypocrisy on this important issue. The nation knows who opposed the open ballot, he added.
Shibli Faraz said that the opposition does not have moral strength, their only strength is money. Even so, their members are reaching out to us. We will also ask our opponents for their vote. However, who becomes Senate Chairman is unknown at this time, he said.
