On Tuesday, the ruling coalition clinched the majority of Senate seats, while elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were deferred due to the alleged “denial” of oath-taking to lawmakers elected on reserved seats.
Unofficial results from the Senate elections revealed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) clinching six seats, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) securing 11, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) bagging one seat. As a result, the PML-N’s Senate representation increased to 19, while the PPP’s tally rose to 24 in the 96-member House.
A total of 356 lawmakers participated in the Senate elections, with the votes of five National Assembly members ultimately rejected.
In the capital, Islamabad, PML-N’s Ishaq Dar emerged victorious in the technocrat senatorial seat with 224 votes, defeating Sunni Ittehad Council’s Raja Ansar. Similarly, Rana Mahmoodul Hasan of the PPP secured a senatorial seat, outperforming Farzand Hussain of the SIC.
Turning to Punjab, the PML-N clinched nine out of 12 Senate seats, securing victories in two seats each designated for women and technocrats, along with one minority seat. Noteworthy winners included Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Petroleum Minister Musadiq Malik, elected as technocrat senators, and PML-N candidates Anusha Rehman and Bushra Anjum for women’s seats.
In Sindh, the PPP dominated, securing 10 out of 12 Senate seats. Notable victories included PPP candidates winning seats for general, technocrats, minorities, and women.
These election outcomes carry significant implications for the distribution of power within the Senate and offer insights into the evolving political landscape of Pakistan. As the results unfold, they set the stage for future governance and legislative dynamics in the country.
