Pakistan ruling party emerges largest group in Senate

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of President Asif Ali Zardari Monday emerged as the largest group in the Senate after 54 newly elected senators took oath, which marks completion of election of the 104-member Upper House of the parliament. The senators were elected last month after 50 members retired after completing their 6-year term. Four seats for religious minorities, each from one province, have also been increased for the first time in the political history of Pakistan. The PPP’s nominees for the Senate Chairmanship, Nayyar Bukhari and Deputy Chirman, Sabir Baloch were elected unopposed as the opposition group decided not to contest election in view of the clear majority of the PPP and its allies. The opposition parties did not file papers for the election of the office of the Chairman and the deputy chairman until specified time, paving the way for unopposed election. The PPP has now emerged as the largest single party in the Senate with 41 members for the first time in nearly 15 years. The PPP had 27 members before the March 2nd Senate elections and now it fortified its position with 41 members. The PPP will enjoy majority for next three years when election for half of the seats will take place. The total number of the PPP and its coalition partners in the Senate reaches 81, thus having a two-third majority to amend the constitution. The coalition will have no more dependence on the opposition any constitutional amendment. Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has now emerged as the major opposition party with 14 votes. The PML-N will get the slot of the opposition leader in the Senate but the opposition groups will not be able to give tough time to the ruling coalition in view of the wide difference of the number of votes. The PPP supporters in the galleries chanted slogans in favour of the party as the members took oath and the presiding officer called the senators to sign the roll register.