ISLAMABAD, MAR 07 (DNA) – Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for a meeting of the heads of PML-N’s political allies here on Wednesday to exchange views on the nominees for Senate’s chairmanship and deputy chairman.

According to sources, the ruling party had also invited Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan to attend the meeting.

The ruling party is to contemplate the names for the top slots of Senate with its political allies during the meeting today, the sources said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met with ousted premier Sharif and exchanged views on the upcoming elections for the Senate chairman and deputy chairman positions.

The sources further said the ousted premier himself telephoned the numerous leaders of political allies and urged them to nominate their candidates for the upcoming elections for top Senate seats.

According to sources, the ruling party had also invited Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan to attend the meeting.

The ruling party is to contemplate the names for the top slots of Senate with its political allies during the meeting today, the sources said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met with ousted premier Sharif and exchanged views on the upcoming elections for the Senate chairman and deputy chairman positions.

The sources further said the ousted premier himself telephoned the numerous leaders of political allies and urged them to nominate their candidates for the upcoming elections for top Senate seats.

With the meeting today with its allies, the ruling party intends to give an impression that the most of upper house members are with the PML-N and hence the party has right to choose the Senate chairman.

Besides political allies like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Sindh’s PML-F, Balochistan’s National Party (NP) and Pashtunkhwa Mili Awami Party (PkMAP), the ruling party also intends to approach the independent candidates for their support.

PPP claims support of 8 independent Senators from Balochistan

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) had claimed to have support of all eight newly elected independent senators who had revolted against the PML-N coalition government in Balochistan two months ago.

According to the party sources, the independent candidates have assured their support to the PPP.

The independent candidates can play a crucial role in the coming election for the offices of Senate chairman and deputy chairman.

The overall strength of PML-N in Senate has increased to 33 after securing 15 seats, closely followed by the PPP with 20 seats, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The PPP has secured 12 Senate seats in total with 10 from Sindh province.