ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday met the newly-elected chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate and expressed the hope that the election of leaders from Balochistan and merged tribal districts would help strengthen the federation.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Deputy Chairman Mirza Moham­mad Afridi, who called on the prime minister, said their election was a matter of pride for the people of their areas.

Defence Minister Pervez Khattak was also present during the meeting.

Mr Khan hoped that Mr Sanjrani would also serve efficiently in his second tenure as Senate chairman. He expressed good wishes for the chairman and deputy chairman.

Sources in the ruling coalition told Dawn that the government was uncertain as to what decision will be taken by the Islamabad High Court as the opposition has decided to challenge the election of Senate chairman and deputy chairman in the IHC.

“The government fears that either the court may reject the opposition’s plea or declare both elections null and void,” the sources said.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement has claimed that its candidate Yousuf Raza Gilani was defeated through “a board daylight rigging” as his seven votes were wrongly rejected by presiding officer Muzaffar Hussain Shah, who belongs to the ruling alliance.

Mr Sanjrani also called on President Dr Arif Alvi at the Presidency. The president congratulated Mr Sanjrani on his re-election as Senate chairman and expressed the confidence that he would fulfil his responsibilities with same diligence as he had done during his previous tenure.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2021