ISLAMABAD: Almost 10 weeks after the Senate elections, the process of formation of committees of the upper house of parliament finally began on Tuesday with the election of chairmen of eight committees.

According to an official announcement by the Senate Secretariat, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Senator Talha Mahmood has been elected as the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs.

Similarly, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla has been elected as the chairman of the Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. Another PPP Senator Rubina Khalid has been elected as the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs whereas Senator Tahir Bizenjo of the National Party will head the committee on rules of procedures and privileges.

An independent senator from erstwhile Fata, Hidayatullah, has been elected as the chairman of the standing committee on aviation.

Senator Mohsin Aziz of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has been elected as the chairman of the standing committee on interior. This committee was previously headed by Rehman Malik of the PPP. Similarly, Zeeshan Khanzada of the PTI has become the chairman of the standing committee on commerce whereas Prince Ahmed Omar Ahmedzai of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has become head of the standing committee on communications.

The chairmen of the committees are traditionally elected unopposed as per understanding between the government and the opposition parties in proportion to their total numbers in the house.

According to the agreed formula, sources said, the opposition parties would get chairmanship of 22 committees whereas the ruling alliance would have chairmanship of 16 committees.

Previously, the opposition members were heading many key committees, including law and justice, interior, finance, human rights, rules of procedure and privileges, foreign affairs and cabinet secretariat. The sources added that the government this time wanted to get the chairmanship of the committees on interior and law and justice.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2021