The Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) has picked former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani as its candidate for Senate Chairman.
Jamil Soomro, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's political secretary, has issued a notification in this regard.
According to an agreement negotiated between the PPP and the PML-N, the PPP was awarded the positions of president, Senate chairman, and governor of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the PML-N was given the positions of Senate deputy chairman, National Assembly speaker, and governor of Sindh and Balochistan.
Gilani now holds the backing of 24 PPP senators, 19 PML-N senators, four BAP senators, three ANP senators, three independents, and one National Party senator, for a total of 54.
If he receives the backing of three MQM-P senators and five JUI-F senators, the total will be 62, indicating that the ruling coalition candidate will be in an ideal position for victory in the election.
The PTI, on the other hand, has 20 senators' backing, plus one each from the BNP and the PML-Q, for a total of 22.
If the JUI-F decides to sit with the opposition, it will have 27 lawmakers.
It should be noted that the Senate election for 11 seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not take place since the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed it.
If Gilani is chosen Senate chairman, he will have the distinction of having served as National Assembly speaker, prime minister, and Senate chairman.