54 New Pakistani Senators take oath

Fifty-four newly-elected Senators on Monday took oath of office at a special session of the Senate. After recent Senate elections, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led coalition has consolidated its position in the upper house of the parliament, with its strength rising to 70 in the house of 104. The Pakistan Muslim League-N, which had seven members in the upper house until recently, now has 14 members. The Awami National Party has increased its strength to 12 with the victory of seven candidates. The JUI-F’s strength has come down to seven from 10 because its seven senators will retire on Monday and four new ones will take the oath. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement which had six senators before Senate elections, has improved its position to seven with three of its members retiring. Its four newly-elected members will take the oath. The BNP-Awami, a coalition partner of the government, has four members in new Senate, while PML-F and National Party have been left with one seat each. Five independent candidates also won Senate elections, taking the number of independents to 12. The combined strength of the opposition in the house now stands at only 22.