Islamabad: PPP Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani elected Senate Chairman and Saidal Khan Nasir Deputy Chairman unopposed.
Gilani and Nasir had filed their nomination papers early on Tuesday. No other candidates filed their nomination for the two slots.
Earlier the day, the newly-elected senators took oath amid noisy protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members.
President Asif Ali Zardari had summoned the house to meet for its inaugural session today (Tuesday) for the oath-taking of newly-elected members and the election of the Senate chairman and deputy chairman.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decided to boycott the election for Senate chairman and deputy chairman. Party leader Ali Zafar in his address called poll 'uncontitutional'.
On Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected the PTI plea seeking deferment of Senate chairman and deputy chairman elections.
During the hearing, PTI’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen said it would be better if the elections, scheduled for tomorrow, were held after Eid. “What could go wrong if the elections are held after Eid,” he said.
However, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq rejected the request shortly after reserving judgment.
