ISLAMABAD, March 8: The PPP leadership decided on Sunday to nominate Law Minister Farooq H. Naek as Pakistan People’s Party candidate for the post of Senate chairman, the president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar announced late in the evening. The move came as a surprise for political observers, and even for some senior PPP leaders.

According to APP, the decision to nominate Mr Naek was taken by President Asif Ali Zardari at a meeting with PPP senators at the Presidency. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is also reported to have attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, there were conflicting reports about Leader of the House in Senate Raza Rabbani quitting the post.

Despite several attempts, Senator Rabbani could not be contacted for confirmation. Some TV reports, however, said the president had refused to accept his resignation.

The election for the chairman’s office will be held on March 12, and being the largest party in the upper house with 28 seats, the PPP will be able to get Mr Naek elected as the new chairman.

The PPP move effectively torpedoes Pakistan Muslim League-Q’s hopes of getting its nominee elected for the post. The PML-Q could now negotiate only for the post of Punjab chief minister as the price for its cooperation with the PPP in Punjab.

Although the PPP has never gained majority in the Senate since the 1977 coup, the PPP-led ruling coalition gained simple majority in the Senate election held on March 4.

Some gains were also made by the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N, increasing its strength in the upper house of parliament from four to seven.

The PML-Q was the biggest loser in the Senate polls, dropping to the second position with only its president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain getting a seat and its tally reduced to 21 from 34. But it still has more seats than the PML-N, the JUI-F (10), MQM (six) and the ANP (six).

Other smaller groups have 10 seats and independents have 12.
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