Govt will obey court verdict on Senate voting: PM.

ISLAMABAD -- While emphasising transparency in Senate election, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Friday that the government would abide by the court verdict on the matter.

The prime minister, in a meeting with Senator Sajjad Turi, said the history was evident of horse-trading in Senate election and the government desired to hold fair election of the Upper House of parliament.

Special Assistant to PM on Political Affairs Amir Dogar also attended the meeting which discussed the strategy for upcoming Senate election. Senator Sajjad Turi apprised the prime minister of positive and effective contribution by outgoing senators in legislation.

On the other hand, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday submitted his written synopsis to the Supreme Court in a matter pertaining to the Senate elections through open ballot. He stated that openness and transparency in the Senate elections was in the larger national interest.

The institution (Senate) believed that the interpretation of constitutional terms or provisions, which promoted public welfare, democracy and fairness in the election process was demand of all the stakeholders, he added.

Sanjrani said, 'Article 59 of the Constitution provides for composition and term of office for the Senate but it is silent on how the elections to elect members of the Senate will be held.'

It was prerogative of the Parliament to amend Articles 59, 63 and 226 of the Constitution but at the same time it was also the prerogative of the apex court to interpret provisions of the Constitution, he added.

The Senate chairman said it was consensus among all the stakeholders, including parliamentarians, political parties, intelligentsia , journalists and civil society that free and fair elections to elect members of the Senate would promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process, acknowledge respect for will of the voters, strengthen political parties and their discipline, which was essential for parliamentary...