ISLAMABAD – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday rejectedpleas filed by 15 independent senators aimed at joining ranks of PakistanMuslim League Nawaz (PMLN) in the upper house of the parliament.

Following ECP’s verdict, Senate secretariat has also decided to not allowmerger of independent senators with PMLN.

After latest development, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has become largestparty in the Senate with 20 members. PMLN has slipped to second spot with17 members while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is at number third spotwith 12 senators.

The number of independent senators stands at 33.

It is pertinent here to mention that PMLN-backed 15 members had decided tojoin treasury benches in upper house of the parliament.