QUETTA: Senate Chair­man Mir Sadiq Sanjrani has suggested giving the top office in the upper house of parliament to all federating units by rotation, saying this will create harmony among them.

Talking to journalists and tribal elders on his first visit to Quetta after assuming the office of the Senate chairman on Sunday, Mr Sanjrani said that after deve­­loping a consensus on the matter, legislation would be introduced in parliament.

“The rotational election of Senate chairman from all provinces and Fata will create harmony among the people of the country,” he said.

Provincial ministers, advi­­­­­sers to the chief minister and a large number of tribal elders of Sanjrani and other tribes welcomed the Senate chairman at Quetta airport.

Mr Sanjrani said that legislation would also be introduced for the solution of Balochistan’s problems so that the longstanding sense of deprivation among its people could be removed.

He said the rights of Baloch­istan’s people would be protected and their share in the CPEC projects would be ensured. All efforts would be made to resolve the issues facing the province, he added.

In reply to a question, Mr Sanjrani said his election as Senate chairman was the result of a “team work”. He said Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddos Bizenjo had played an important role in persuading the leaderships of PPP and PTI to support an independent candidate from Balochistan for the top office in the Senate.

Mr Sanjrani said the independent senators from Balo­ch­­istan had played a vital role in making the idea of a Senate chairman from the province a reality. He also appreciated the support of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PTI chairman Imran Khan for his election.

Answering a question, he said he had so far no plan to join any political party, adding that his meeting with Mr Zardari was just for ex­­changing views on the appointment of the opposition leader in the Senate.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018