News Desk |
On Thursday, the opposition parties agreed upon the nomination of Hasil Bizenjo, senior leader of Balochistan’s National Party (NP) to assume the position of the Senate Chairman and replace the acting Chairman, Sadiq Sanjrani.
Bizenjo has been a long-term ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) throughout its tenure, and he maintains close ties with Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan People’s Party. Sources reveal that Bizenjo’s nomination was proposed by the leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party.
During a meeting held on Thursday, the opposition’s Rehbar Committee approved the nomination of Hasil Bizenjo, which was also approved by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who expressed his confidence in the Baloch leader during consultations from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.
A no-confidence motion is a democratic right, and I have no reservations regarding this resolution. I am still performing my duties as expected.
The Rehbar Committee, consisting of representatives from nine opposition parties, held its first meeting on 5th July, and Akram Khan Durrani from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) was chosen as the convener of the committee for the next two months.
On Tuesday, the Rehbar Committee had submitted a no-confidence motion against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to the Secretary of the Upper House, Mohammad Anwar.
Secretary Senate Anwar stated, “This is the first instance that a no-confidence motion has been submitted against a Senate Chairman. This process will proceed as per the legal guidelines.”
Read more: PTI stands by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani: PM Imran Khan
Once the resolution was submitted, Senate Chairman Sanjrani announced that he will not resign voluntarily. He mentioned, ‘A no-confidence motion is a democratic right, and I have no reservations regarding this resolution. I am still performing my duties as expected.”
No-Confidence Bid to be Thwarted
On Wednesday, Shibli Faraz, leader of the house in Parliament’s upper house, commented that the federal government is devising a strategy to counter the conspiracy of no-confidence bid against Senate Chairman Sanjrani, and the ruling party is in close contact with multiple senators from the opposition parties.
Shibli Faraz added, “The opposition parties will require 53 senators to remove Sadiq Sanjrani, which seems highly unlikely.”
Speaking to the press at the Parliament House, Faraz noted that the opposition parties have been unable to reach an agreement on a joint candidate suitable for this post. He stated, “The opposition is divided over the matter of no-trust motion against Senate Chairman, and there are many opposition senators who are against this motion.”
Hasil Bizenjo is a Sharif crony who will only aggravate the grievances of the Baloch people.
Shibli Faraz added that many opposition senators are currently in touch with the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and the course of events may create a surprise for the opposition leaders. Faraz stressed that he was staunchly against bribing off members to win the Senate election.
He noted, “We have always negated the use of money for trading horses in the democratic process.”
PTI Senator Faisal Javed claimed that at least 12-13 senators hailing from the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) will not be voting for the ouster of Sadiq Sanjrani. Javed commented, “It is in the best interests of the opposition parties to abandon their conspiracy of de-seating the Senate Chairman, lest they want to suffer humiliation and losses.”
Javed added that the PML-N is experiencing internal rifts and lack of unity, which is frustrating for the senators and MPAs hailing from the party. He further expresses, “Certain senators from the PML-N are independent and technically not obliged to vote as per party dictates.”
Read more: Opposition submits no-confidence resolution against Senate Chairman Sanjrani
PTI senator Faisal Javed added that Bilawal Bhutto, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party had tweeted after Sanjrani’s selection as Senate Chairman, declaring it a win for Balochistan and the Centre. Faisal remarked, “Bilawal should retweet that after submitting a no-trust motion against Sanjrani.”
Earlier, multiple senators hailing from tribal districts, including Mirza Mohammad Afridi, Aurangzeb Khan, Kauda Babar, Taj Afridi and Hidayatullah amongst others, met with the Senate Chairman and pledged their support.
Bizenjo: Sharif Crony from Balochistan?
Jan Achakzai, Baloch political analyst and Chairman of the Centre for Geo-Politics and Balochistan, noted that Hasil Bizenjo is a Sharif crony who will only aggravate the grievances of the Baloch people.
Achakzai observed, “All those saying a Sharif crony from Balochistan will ameliorate province’ grievances.”
Read more: Who will be the new Chairman Senate?
He added, “They forget his NP has not a single seat in BA. He has never been a counsellor his life—merit a son of another Baloch politician. His corrupt party was imposed by the then establishment.”
All those saying a Sharif crony from Balochistan will ameliorate province’ grievances.
They forget his NP has not a single seat in BA.
He has never been a counsellor his life—merit a son of another Baloch politician.
His corrupt party was imposed by the then establishment.
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) July 11, 2019
A Sharif crony named 2 use Senate 2 defend corruption of Sharifs.
Institutions’ capture been strategy of the 2 corrupt families.
Raza Rabbani-a Zardari crony, used Senate against state.
Now anti-Army Senator offers shoulder 2 malign.
Is he even fit 2 be acting President? https://t.co/OZdwMgb37X
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) July 11, 2019