ISLAMABAD: As political maneuvering continues between parties following the February 8 elections, The News reported Friday that conversations between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over constitutional collaboration are underway.
According to sources, the PPP seeks the role of National Assembly speaker for its party. It has also chosen two candidates for the speakership, one of which is former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
Gilani, who is close to PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, has a better chance of becoming NA speaker, according to sources.
Meanwhile, the PML-N is expected to become deputy speaker. According to tradition, if the speaker is appointed from Punjab, the deputy speaker is appointed from Khyber.
Earlier, the deputy speakers were Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Faisal Karim Kundi, and Zahid Akram Durrani.
Sardar Muhammad Yusuf, the successful PML-N candidate from Hazara Division, is expected to be appointed deputy speaker of the National Assembly after Murtaza Javed Abbasi lost the election.
If Ishaq Dar is not appointed finance minister, he will be considered for the position of Senate chairman. Otherwise, Azam Nazir Tarar will be the PML-N’s candidate.
The position of deputy chairman of the Senate has usually been granted to Balochistan, and according to sources, the province will once again receive the seat, with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) expected to win.
Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Jan Jamali, Sabir Baloch, and Noor Jahan Panizai have all held this office.
According to sources, the PPP has also sought for the governorship of Punjab and has chosen Qamar Zaman Kaira as its candidate. Furthermore, Nadeem Afzal Chan and Aslam Gul are both being considered for this position.
On the other hand, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is running for governor of Sindh. However, the PPP has expressed misgivings about this.
The MQM-P has stated that it will not support for Asif Ali Zardari for president if the PPP opposes its gubernatorial demand. Kamran Tessori of the MQM-P is likely to remain governor of Sindh.
