Pakistani Ministers Apply for Upcoming Senate Elections
By
Asif Farooqi, IOL Pakistan Correspondent
ISLAMABAD,
October 25 (IslamOnline) – Many of the military government’s key
players are set to join the new political set-up as the military rule
in Pakistan nears its end.
At
least four of the incumbent ministers in the cabinet of President
General Pervez Musharraf are contesting for a place in Senate for
which elections are to take place November 12.
The
major winner of last month’s general election, Pakistan Muslim
League (Q) supports the candidature for these ministers in their bid
to win in a direct election to the Upper House.
The
Senate in Pakistan represents all four provinces of the federation and
the provincial assemblies constitute electoral collage for its
elections on the basis of proportionate representation.
Spokesman
for the PML (Q) Azim Chahudary confirmed receiving applications from
these ministers for the party ticket to contest the Senate elections.
Finance
Minister Shaukat Aziz, Interior Minister Moin Ud Din Hairder,
Communication Minister Javed Ashraf and Law Minister Dr. Khalid Ranjha
are likely to contest the Senate elections on the ticket of PML(Q).
On
the basis of the provincial seats won by this party, places for these
men is almost guaranteed in the Senate. However, it is not yet clear
whether any or all of them would also be able to continue in their
present positions as Minister in the next cabinet.
