Senators form splinter group in PML-Q
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Finally, cracks emerged in the ranks of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) as six senators, four out of them from the PML, announced to form a like-minded group in the Upper House of the Parliament here on Tuesday. Former Minister for Tourism Senator Nilofar Bakhtiyar flanked by other PML Senators Ch. Zafar Iqbal, Wali Badini, Amjad Abbas, and Mir Israrullah Zehri of Balochistan National Party (Awami), and Asif Jatoi from National Peoples Party at a joint press conference vowed to raise their voice together for upholding the truth and provincial autonomy.
“We have decided to gel together and our main objective is ‘Pakistan’. We have no personal agenda and though we are from different political parties, yet our aim and thoughts are same and we want to work for provincial autonomy, independence of judiciary as well as the media, protection of women rights, repeal of clause 58-2 (b) from the Constitution,” said Nilofar Bakhtiyar.
“We would take a joint stance over national issues without ditching our party. We are condident that more colleagues would join us as it was not our aim to get personal benefits. Ministries are not our objective and rather we want the restoration of judiciary and we pre-November 3 status of the judiciary,” she said adding that the former government had developed proposals over provincial autonomy which lacked implementation and delivery of rights.
The senators were of the view that they had taken a joint step as they were unable to raise their voices from their party platform in recent past and they were denied to raise issues of public importance. To a question, Senator Amjad Abbas said the group would take a decision when and if the motion of impeachment of the president is carried in the parliament. He said the group was an example for others.
Senator Wali Badini said the group would support the bill to restore the deposed judges. He said they did wait for the provincial autonomy bill but it was not tabled. Senator Asif Jatoi said the group would take all decisions after consensus over the issues. He made it clear that the group had also decided to remain in the fold of their respective parties.
As many as 6 senators led by Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar of former ruling PML-Q and its allied parties have formed forward block. Forward block comprises senator Amjad Abbas, Wali Muhammad Badeni, Chaudhry Zafar Iqbal, Nilofar Bakhtiar from PML-Q, Israr Ullah Zehri from Balochistan National Party and Asif Jatoi of National Peoples Party;
Addressing a press conference here Tuesday, senator Nilofar Bakhtiar said they had no differences with their respective parties nor they had their personal agenda. “We will stay in our party and will support all those steps of next government which it would take in the national interest. Provincial autonomy is at the top of our agenda, she told. “We want independent judiciary and we will struggle at parliament level to ensure independent judiciary “, she added. Senate should be given its full powers, she said alleging senate was used as rubber stamp in the past.
“We will see when impeachment move comes against the president”, she held. Several other senators want to join us and they will soon be on our side”, she pointed out.