PML-N mulling MQM support for Senate's top slots

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is considering all available options, including support from Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), in the race to bag posts of Senate chairman and deputy chairman, Dawn.com has learnt.

According to a senior PML-N leader, the party is considering Senator Raja Zafar ul Haq, Senator Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Senator Nuzhat Sadiq for the said Senate positions.

“The leadership is deliberating over approaching the MQM to secure the slots of the chairman and deputy chairman and could also invite the MQM to join federal government,” said the senior leader.

The PML-N leader went on to say that the party’s central leadership believes its coalition partners in Balochistan – PkMAP and the NP – and its federal allies (JUI-F and PML-F) will support the government in Senate. But the party needs MQM on its side to win over Senate’s top slots. If the MQM is not on board, it will be difficult for the government to challenge the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said the PML-N leader.

After Thursday’s election, the government and its coalition partners now have a total of 38 Senate seats: 26 for PML-N, five for JUI-F, three each for PkMAP and NP, and one seat for PML-F.

But the PPP and its allies have 42 Senate seats, of which 27 belong to the PPP, seven to the ANP and eight to the MQM.

“The leadership is assuming that PTI’s senators will not support either the PML-N or the PPP, which means MQM’s eight seats in addition to the 10 independent candidates will decide which party bags the coveted Senate slots. So the PML-N will try to get MQM’s support at any cost,” the PML-N leader said.

Another PML-N leader, while talking to Dawn.com, also said the party’s leadership could ask the MQM to join it in the center in exchange for its support in the Senate, and may also offer MQM Senate’s deputy chairmanship.

“But some party leaders have suggested that the PML-N reach an understanding with the PPP, whereby it drops its own nominee for Senate chairman in favour of the latter, and instead settle for the deputy chairman slot,” the PML-N leader added.

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Comments (30) Closed

A. Mirza

Mar 07, 2015 12:52am

That's the power of MQM!

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Awais Ali

Mar 07, 2015 12:58am

MQM will agree for the sake of clearance from Baldia massacre. Pakistani politics at its best.

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adil

Mar 07, 2015 01:00am

So what purpose will these senators fulfill and what benefit will they provide for the poor, none i suppose.

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zeb

Mar 07, 2015 01:11am

isn't it open bribe, Imran khan is right as long as these crooks around no going to change for poor Pakistanis !

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Dekh Magar Pyaar Se

Mar 07, 2015 01:13am

So the horse and cattle show will be extended for a few more days

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Shamain

Mar 07, 2015 01:21am

And we know why terrorism in karachi never ends

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Ahmed Shaikh

Mar 07, 2015 01:29am

What a shameful consideration. For a seat , PML-N and PPP are diverting all the resources and energy without realizing the mounting problems Pakistan is facing. No planning on how to control the load-shading, no discussion on how to mitigate the water shortage problem, no progress on a very severe baldia factory fire incident, no control over law and order situation....A senate seat is more important for the Government, the opposition and the MQM than our country.....

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hrk

Mar 07, 2015 01:47am

Who else but the MQM, the only party that goes where the power is.

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Nash

Mar 07, 2015 01:58am

No problem. Both MQM and Independents have a price. Both PPP and PML(N) have the means to pay that price. So whoever makes the highest bid, wins the so called "coveted "seat

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Good Pakistani Girl

Mar 07, 2015 02:28am

So what? It happens in politics.

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syed

Mar 07, 2015 02:37am

very good. we really deserve all this. keep it up zar and shar.

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mansoor

Mar 07, 2015 02:48am

Good bye justice in Baldia garment factory massacre.

Recommend 0

Mar 07, 2015 03:05am

Hypocracy at its peak

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JUSTICE

Mar 07, 2015 03:08am

Bring real changes & real democracy in Pakistan, this all "Mukmuka" to continue stealing people's tax payer's money and protect & keep corrupts leaders.

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Nasir

Mar 07, 2015 03:10am

Good for MQM, should ask for at least one federal ministry. One the other hand, PPP is your neighbor in Sindh. Difficult choice to make!

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A. A.

Mar 07, 2015 03:18am

And that settles the Baldia Town Factory fire case! No need to hold any further inquiries.

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Muneeb

Mar 07, 2015 03:21am

And, ofcourse, all this is in bigger national interest as Pakistan is at a 'critical juncture of history'. RIP Baldia factory arson victims and RIP democracy!

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Aisha

Mar 07, 2015 03:23am

MQM should not support PML N now, they should take the past track record that they cannot be trusted. What should happen is that MQM says no and leaves them to fend for themselves. PML N has enough already and MQM won 4 for Karachi. Otherwise we have seen Jinnahpur conspiracy, Major Kaleem Case and Hakeem Saeed case that were all false after PML N inviting MQM, then false crimes, to then malignment.

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TKHAN

Mar 07, 2015 03:32am

"Looking for an honest politician is like looking for an ethical burglar." It will be so amusing if MQM is tempted to accept the offer! But who knows?

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TaDaa

Mar 07, 2015 03:47am

At one hand PML-N is dieing for that senate chairman position and on other hand MQM would love a couple of ministries. It's a win win for both the gangster parties. Moreover MQM would no longer need PPP as they have got their ppl in the senate now and can also become a part of federal government. Muk muka politics at its best, people!

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Zubair

Mar 07, 2015 03:53am

Raja Zafr ul Haq and Aitzaz Ahsan will be the best Picks for top positions

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A. Ahmad

Mar 07, 2015 03:54am

You scratch my back and I do yours, is what Pak politics is all about!

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Nadeem

Mar 07, 2015 04:01am

Then think MQM getting free from Baldia factory fire charges..

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Nadeem

Mar 07, 2015 04:32am

Pmln will do any dirtiest thing to gain power.

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lafanga

Mar 07, 2015 05:04am

"PML-N mulling MQM support for Senate's top slots" Imagine my complete lack of surprise. PPP, PMLN, MQM, JUIF etc etc are all passengers of the same corrupt bandwagon. They will hide each other's corruption and crimes and support each other to have an unbreakable power grip on musical chair of Pakistan politics. They are all either sitting abroad or have assets abroad and after they suck the life blood out of each Pakistani, they will pack their bags and run away. How can Pakistanis not see past the shallow characters of these corrupt leaders and elect them over and over again for same treatment. Sickening.

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mohammed

Mar 07, 2015 05:04am

yet another horse trading by PML(N) COST BLADIA FIRE CASE OVER TWO HUNDRED POOR PEOPLE BURN TO DEATH JAMHOORIAT ZINDABAD.

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Khan-Haqiqi

Mar 07, 2015 05:16am

@Awais Ali Baldia controversy will Die its natural death as Jinnahpur allegation did. If you are so worried then raise your voice against Karachities genocide by banned organizations and by security forces

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Saeed Malik

Mar 07, 2015 05:43am

What is wrong with PML and PPP leadership? What about 256 burned dead persons? How if Bilwal or Kulsum Nawaz were one of the victims? Please if you can not be honest with this country then step aside. Thanks to General Raheel for his sincere work for working hard to bring law and order along with his honest team.I have no doubt that the group of trio(PPP,PML and MQM)might put this country on EBay or Amazon.com to sell it.Please think Pakistan first.Do not be so greedy and selfish. Keep Mafia Party out of Provincial and Federal government.Dont destroy the hard work of Rangers and thier sacrifies for you interest.

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KeyPoints

Mar 07, 2015 06:17am

It seems, its all about politicians and all about politics. Poor citizens standing on side lines watching all political drama unfold. Than politicians get all big senate positions and many other positions, making good money, living good life. Good salary and perks all paid by poor tax payers. What tax payers get in return? Don't ask me. Average citizen facing same problems, last PPP government or now PML-N government. Yes, same thing, electricity problem, gas problem, clean water problem, shortage of schools, shortage of hospitals, shortage of job opportunitities. People may cry and complain all they want? But politicians are very happy living good life. Yes, thats how it works in real life.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada

Mar 07, 2015 07:49am

It will be sheer stupidity of the MQM to support the PML(N). The party had been aligned with the PPP through thick and thin and should continue to do so.

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