Islamabad: The PML-N has fielded former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah for the by-election to the Senate general seat that fell vacant after the conviction of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Ijaz Chaudhry in a terrorism case and his disqualification under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution.
The Senate seat will be polled on September 9 after the Election Commission cancelled the notification of Ijaz Chaudhry’s membership.
Some quarters are calling the ruling party’s decision an attempt to bring experienced political leadership forward in an environment of rule of law.
According to party sources, Rana Sanaullah’s nomination is a clear message that the need for leaders with strong, legal and political defense is being felt in parliament.
It should be remembered that Rana Sanaullah lost the Faisalabad National Assembly seat in the general elections this year, but the PML-N leadership is keen to continue to benefit from his organizational and parliamentary skills.
Political observers say that Rana Sanaullah’s return to the Senate will not only further strengthen the government’s narrative but can also be an effective response to the legal objections raised by the opposition.
