Govt delegation calls on Sanjrani for 'solidarity' after opposition move to oust him

Published June 28, 2019
Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza (C) and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani speak to reporters on Friday. — Screengrab
Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza (C) and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani speak to reporters on Friday. — Screengrab

A delegation comprising representatives of the ruling PTI and allied parties paid a "solidarity" visit to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday, two days after a multi-party conference (MPC) attended by nearly all opposition parties decided to adopt a constitutional way for his removal.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting alongside Sanjrani, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza said they had called on the Senate chairman in order to "strengthen his hands [and] for solidarity".

She said the government and allied parties' members were of the view that Sanjrani was managing the Senate "in a totally neutral and impartial manner which is the role of a chairman Senate or speaker".

Editorial: The opposition's MPC was highly unimpressive

Responding to the opposition's criticism, Mirza said the government members had, in fact, reservations that Sanjrani was giving "excessive" time to the opposition members in the upper house.

She acknowledged, however, that it was the discretion of the person in the chair to allocate time to parliamentarians, to which Sanjrani added: "The [chairman] knows what the conditions are down on the floor."

The Senate chairman further said he has managed the upper house in a "completely balanced" manner.

Asked to comment on the opposition's resolve to remove him from his office, Sanjrani said: "I will not say anything on this matter."

The lawmakers who visited the Senate chairman in his chamber included members of the PTI, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Balochistan Awami Party and Grand Democratic Alliance.

Sanjrani had been elected chairman of the Senate after the PPP’s Raza Rabbani completed his term in office in March last year.

Also read: Sanjrani’s controversial election

He had bagged 57 votes against 46 secured by his opponent, Raja Zafarul Haq of the PML-N. Though the PML-N had offered to support the PPP if Rabbani was fielded by the PPP as a candidate, the offer was turned down by Asif Ali Zardari.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier this month assured Sanjrani that the PTI would support him in the wake of any move from the opposition to bring a no-confidence motion against him.

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...