LAHORE: The Pakis­tan Peoples Party Parli­ame­ntarians (PPPP) is officially inviting applications from candidates interested in running for vacant Senate seats, with the elections scheduled to take place within the coming weeks.

The seats became vacant either due to the election of some Senate members to different assemblies or resignations by a couple of them.

PPPP Secretary General Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari said in a statement that those interested in getting PPPP tickets for the vacant seats of the upper house of the bicameral parliament should apply to the party by March 3 (Sunday).

The applications must be addressed to PPPP President Asif Ali Zardari with a bank draft of Rs100,000 in the name of the party enclosed and should be sent to Bilawal House, Karachi, or Zardari House, Islamabad, at House No. 8, Street 19, F-8/2, Mr Bokhari added.

Committee formed to look after party’s Punjab affairs

On Thursday, the party wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to hold Senate polls as soon as possible to complete the 100-member house, which is currently short of 11 members.

Senate elections are usually held in March every three years when 50 per cent of the members retire after completing a six-year term.

However, due to unusual political conditions prevailing in the country, the Election Commission of Pakistan may consider holding the electoral exercise in April.

Each of the four federating units has equal representation in the Senate. Meanwhile, Mr Zardari has formed a two-member PPP committee to look after political affairs in Punjab.

A PPPP spokesperson said Nadeem Afzal Chan and Ali Qasim Gilani wou­ld take care of Punjab-rela­ted political matters and coordinate with the party chief to address issues.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2024