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Pakistan's Senate Chairman Survives No-Confidence Vote, Opposition Cries Foul

Ayesha Tanzeem

   ISLAMABAD - The chairman of Pakistan's Senate has survived a
   no-confidence vote that has opponents alleging political interference.

   At the start of the proceedings Thursday in Islamabad, opposition
   lawmakers seeking Sadiq Sanjrani's removal from office had 64 votes in
   their favor. In a secret ballot a short time later, however, only 50
   senators voted to oust him -- just short of the 53 needed. Five votes
   were rejected.

   100 senators vote

   Pakistan's Senate comprises 103 members. Of that number, 100 voted. The
   opposition sought the vote to put pressure on the government. All
   legislation, except the budget, has to be passed by both houses of
   parliament. The chairman can play a major role in which legislation is
   put forward.

   Leading English-language newspaperDAWNcalled the outcome a "shock
   victory." Opposition leaders accused the government of "horse-trading,"
   using a term that means buying votes, or influence-peddling, in
   Pakistan.

   Rejecting the allegations, Senator Faisal Javed of the Pakistan Justice
   Movement (the ruling PTI), described the outcome as an end to the
   dynastic politics of the two leading opposition parties -- the Pakistan
   People's Party, or PPP, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, or PMLN. Both
   parties are led by relatives of their founding members.

   "Senators ... voted according to their conscience ... sending a message
   that senators won't behave like slaves any longer," Javed said.

   Senators defy own parties

   Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said the senators who voted
   against their own parties "rejected their leadership's corruption."

   Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly,
   Pakistan's lower house of parliament, blamed the outcome on money
   changing hands.

   "Those who sold their souls and weakened democracy today, we have
   decided we will identify them and expose them," he said in a joint
   press conference with multiple opposition parties.

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