*ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) last minute movehas turned the table for the Senate Chairmanship. *
*MQM has announced its support for PPP and PTI-backed nominee Senator SadiqSanjrani for the office of Senate chairman.*
With the MQM-P’s support, the number of senators backing up Sanjrani issaid to have increased to 53 in the 104-member house, which is sufficientto elect him.
Speaking to the media, MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said all fivesenators of the party will vote for the independent senator fromBalochistan for the office of Senate chairman.
However, he said his party wouldn’t support PPP’s Saleem Mandviwala for theoffice of deputy chairman.
Siddiqui made this announcement after a meeting with Balochistan ChiefMinister Abdul Qudus Bijenzo in the federal capital.
With both government and opposition claiming to have the required votes tograb the top offices of the Upper House, a tough contest is expectedbetween their nominees.
The Senate will meet at 4:00 pm today when secret balloting for itschairman and deputy chairman will be held.
PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan said earlier today theruling party and his allies have agreed to field Raja Zafarul Haq forSenate chairmanship and Usman Kakar for deputy chairmanship.
The opposition parties, mainly Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and PakistanTehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), have combined forces to vote for an independentsenator from Balochistan for Senate chairman.