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

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.