Salahuddin Haider
LOSING Islamabad Senate seat was no doubt a setback, still PTI and allies were largely successful, gaining four of the 11 seats in Sindh, which meant that their strategy worked, and was according to plans.
Likewise Prime Minister’s party appeared the single largest party in the Upper House, and swept in KP, winning 10 of the 12 seats, which indeed goes in Imran Khan’s favour.
If considered numerically, government and allies should have 5 of the 11 seats in Sindh.
They bagged four, the only missing link being the loss of Pir Pagara’s sibling Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, who lost by just one vote.
Peoples Party, according to number game, was expecting maximum 6 seats that it won seven Pakistan. The seventh was indeed a bonus for them. But it also showed some miscalculations somewhere by the joint parliamentary group of Tehreek-i-Insaaf, Muttahida Qoumi Movement-Pakistan, and The General Democratic Alliance of Pir Pagara.
What was the reason that demands much deeper analysis, which could only be possible after a soul searching in true sense of the word, which obviously will take time for correct conclusion.
MQM-P had expected two seats, which it got. Its nominee Faisal Ali Sabzwari won from the general seat, while Khalida Ateeb won the technocrat and women reserve seat. Entirely according to plan,
For PTI, the plan worked well also. Faisal Wavda, a minister in federal capital, won hands down, whlle Saifullah Abro too made it quite easily.
That meant that PTI and allies, with total votes in Sindh assembly at 65, should have won the fifth seats also.They however polled 57. That means fault lay somewhere.
but GDA’s Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi missed the bus by a whisker.
Whether it would reflect on government’s total strength in the National Assembly, deserve to be watched keenly.
The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party in southern province, having 99 votes in a house of 168, was expecting 6 general and technocrat seats, but was blessed with seventh one also.
Its successful candidates on general seats were sitting senator Sherry Rehman, Sitting deputy chairman in the upper house, Saleem Mandviwala, returned too, so did Taj Haider.
He was recalled after a lapse of many, many years.
Newcomer are Jam Mehtab Dahar, and Shahadat Awan .
The two technocrat and women seats were filled by PPP when its nominees Farooq H Naek,a former Senate Chairman, is back as Senator again on technocrat seat, while Pulwasha Khan bagged the reserve women seat. The total 11 seats up for grab, 7 went to ruling Peoples Party and four to PTI and allies
