15 Independent Senators join PML N, while 11 join Opposition Benches

*ISLAMABAD:* Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) backed senators havedecided to join the treasury benches, it was reported on Thursday.

Two independent senators from FATA will join the treasury in addition tothe 15 PML-N-backed senators, according to a notification issued by theSenate Secretariat.

11 independent senators, including six from FATA, have decided to join theopposition benches.

11 senators from Punjab2 senators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa2 senators fromIslamabad2 senators from Fata join PML N.

5 senators from Balochistan6 senators from Fata join Opposition benches.

All PML-N nominees were declared independent by the Election Commission ofPakistan (ECP) just a few days before the Senate elections were due to takeplace.

This decision was taken after the Supreme Court decision according to whichNawaz Sharif was disqualified as his party head and all official partydecisions he took following July 28, 2017, Panama Papers verdict wereconsidered null and void.

PML-N won the expected 15 seats in the Senate elections, whereas the PPPwon on 12 seats which with the likely support of independent candidates mayfurther allow it to consolidate its position in the upper house.