Pakistan’s political scenario is evolving rapidly ahead of what is expected to be an intense election season this year.
On Monday, the Senate elected its first chairman from the strategic minerals-filled southwestern province of Balochistan – where Gwadar Port is a key gateway for trade between China, Pakistan and the oil-rich Gulf.
Sadiq Sanjrani, a young and independent seantor from Balochistan, was sworn in as chairman of the upper chamber after bagging 57 votes out of 103 cast for the election.
In another first, Krishna Kohli, a Hindu woman from Thar desert, was sworn in as senator.
But it is the election of Sanjrani – a relatively less influential politician – which came as one of the biggest political developments as the Opposition parties including Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf made it a show of power in a setback to the ruling PML(N).
Sanjrani also got backing from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and independent senators from Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
The election of Sanjrani will send a powerful signal to the people of Balochistan, who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the governance by local and national leaders. Balochistan has in the past decade experienced a low-intensity insurgency. But the province offers the path for multi-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Pakistan has also arrested and convicted an Indian spy who revealed how New Delhi used the Afghan soil to flare militancy in Balochistan.
Sanjrani’s win has given the PPP and PTI something to cheer about in view of PML-N’s considerable support in the largest Punjab province.
On the other hand, the PML (N), which has been stuck in a spate of corruption scandals and court convictions, faces numerous challenges ahead.
Already, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been barred from leading the party after his disqualification to hold a public office in a corruption case.
PML-N candidate Raja Zafarul Haq could get support from members of the ruling party and some coalition partners.
Sadiq Sanjrani, born on 14 April 1978 in Nok Kundi, in Pakistan’s South-western province of Balochistan. He represents the new generation of Baloch leaders.
He received his early education from Nok Kundi and then moved to Islamabad from where he did masters.
Previously, Sanjrani was a member of the Nawaz Sharif’s party and began his political career in 1998 as coordinator of the team of the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He served in that position until 1999 Pakistani coup d’état.
Sanjrani was in in-charge of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani Complaint Cell at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat for five years.
Under Sanaullah Khan Zehri’s rule as Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sanjrani performed duties as as his special assistant.
Major political parties and politicians welcomed Sanjrani’s election. In a tweet, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto called his election as chairman of the senate as a victory for Balochistan and federalism against “Zia’s opening batsman” Raja Zafarul Haq, fielded by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and its allies.
PTI’s Imran Khan greeted Sanjrani in a Twitter message: “Congratulations to Baloch Senator Sadiq Sanjirani for becoming Chairman Senate. This will strengthen the federation. We are happy for the people of Balochistan & for the federation of Pakistan”.
But some in Sanjrani’s own province did nto agree with the importance of the election outcome. Hasil Bizenjo, a leader of the National Party and Federal minister for ports and shipping, Hasil Bizenjo termed the victory of opposition-backed candidate as victory for anti-democratic forces.
Still Sanjrani has a whole new national landscape ahead of him in the critical year for Pakistani democracy and political forces.
