The Subcontinent: 4 March 2021
Upset in Pak Senate Elections, Imran to Seek Vote of Confidence
India: 3rd in Women in Senior Management
Diaspora: Pakistani-American Dilawar Saeed Nominated
Myanmar: At Least 38 Killed
Music: "Nadiyon Paar" from Roohi
1. Upset in Pak Senate Elections, PM to Seek Vote of Confidence
Senate elections in Pakistan saw a major upset with the Finance Minister of the ruling government losing the senate election to the opposition candidate. Translated into votes, it indicates that the majority of parliamentarians supported the opposition (Pakistan Tribune).
Who were the Candidates?
The ruling party had fielded Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh, a former World Bank official, who needed to be elected to the Parliament to continue functioning as Finance Minister.
Opposition parties had fielded former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who belongs to the Pakistan People's Party.
Final tally: 169 vs 164
The final result was Gilani winning after bagging 169 votes and Shaikh getting 164. Seven votes were rejected.
However, another candidate belonging to the ruling party secured 174 votes to win her seat, suggesting that the PTI still commands a majority and that the defeat was restricted to its Finance Minister.
Vote of Confidence
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced that the Prime Minister would be seeking a vote of confidence in the House. This preempts a likely move by the combined opposition to initiate a no-confidence motion (Geo TV).
Two If's
Senate polling in Pakistan is held by secret ballot However, if it was held via open ballot, the ruling government could have won. Their petition in the Supreme Court seeking an open ballot did not help.
Secondly, the neutrality of the Army is also a factor. While the opposition was claiming that the army is maintaining a neutral position, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi alleged in an TV interview that the Army was neutral till 11 pm before the polling day. There were phone calls, visits, and threats, he said in a TV interview.
Meanwhile, Proceedings against Another Minister
The Court has also initiated proceedings against the Federal Minister for Water Resources for filing a false affidavit regarding his nationality. The case involves Faisal Vawda. Yesterday, he resigned from his seat in the National Assembly to avoid disqualification, but only after he voted as a parliamentarian to become a Senator (Dawn).
What Next?
A vote of confidence in the Parliament could once again swing the situation in favor of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A defeat would lead to his immediate ouster. The opposition under the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) banner has been threatening a long march, a sit-in, and mass resignations.
The defeat of Hafez Shaikh could dampen Pakistan's ongoing negotiations with the IMF.
2. India: 3rd in Women in Senior Management
India ranks third in the world for having women in senior management positions. The percentage is 39 percent in India, compared to the global average of 31 percent.
Africa Leads, Asia-Pacific Lowest
Africa has the highest proportion of women in senior management (38%), while Asia-Pacific has the lowest (27%).
ASEAN and Eastern Europe have 35 percent, while Latin America has 33 percent, followed by EU and Southern Europe (30%).
3. Diaspora: Pakistani-American Dilawar Saeed Nominated
US President Joe Biden has nominated Pakistani-American Dilawar Saeed for Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Tell Us About Dilawar
Dilawar is the CEO of Luminate, an AI for healthcare company. He was the founding Chair of the California Entrepreneurship Task Force and served on President Obama's White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) (White House).
4. Myanmar: At least 38 killed
At least 38 persons were killed as security forces opened fire in multiple places. The UN stated that the region's stability hangs on Myanmar, with at least 38 killed, marking the bloodiest day since the start of the coup on 1 February. (UN)
UN Special Session on Friday
The UN is expected to hold a closed meeting on Myanmar this Friday (Nikkei) (AP).
5. Music: "Nadiyon Paar" from Roohi
Nadiyon Paar is a dance number from Roohi starring Janhvi Kapoor. A recreated version of Shamur's "Let The Music Play", the video has received praise and criticism.
Reactions
Roohi's 'Nadiyon Paar' Song Is A Visual Delight, Beats Sure To Strike A Cord With Fans: Republic World
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Watch the Video