ISLAMABAD - Process of formation of Senate committees began on Wednes­day as senators elected chair­persons of 13 standing and func­tional committees of the house including heads of some impor­tant parliamentary forums.

According to an announce­ment made by the Senate Sec­retariat, the lawmakers elect­ed chairpersons of as many as 11 standing committees and two functional committees.

The standing committees are of defence, foreign affairs, industries and production, information, overseas Paki­stanis, cabinet secretariat, law and justice, petroleum, power, parliamentary affairs and committee on delegated leg­islation. The functional com­mittees include Committee on Devolution and Committee on Government Assurances.

The elections were held un­der Rule 184 (1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 here at Parliament House.

PML-N Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed was unani­mously elected as the chair­man of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence. The committee members includ­ing Senators Hidayat Ullah and Mushtaq Ahmed nominated him for the position.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed unanimously elected as chairman Senate standing body on defence

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman was unanimously elected as the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on For­eign Affairs. Senators Saadia Abbasi and Palwasha Moham­mad Zai Khan seconded her name that was endorsed by the other members in attendance. 

MQM Senator Faisal Ali Sabz­wari was unanimously elected as the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Indus­tries and Production. Senators Imamuddin Shouqeen and Shamim Afridi nominated him which was seconded by all the committee members. 

BAP Senator Manzoor Ahmed Kakar was unanimous­ly elected as the chairman of the Senate Standing Commit­tee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource. His name for the chairmanship was nomi­nated by Senators Ms Khalida Ateeb and Ms Keshoo Bai and all members supported it. 

PML-N Senator Rana Maq­bool Ahmed has been unani­mously elected as the chairman of the Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat. Senators Saadia Abbasi and Muhammad Talha Mahmood nominated him for the chairmanship. 

PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar has been unanimously elect­ed as the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice. Sena­tors Shibli Faraz and Saleem Mandviwalla nominated him for the chairmanship of the committee.

PTI Senator Faisal Javed has been unanimously elected as the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Infor­mation and Broadcasting. Sen­ators Muhammad Tahir Bizin­jo and Syed Ali Zafar seconded his name for the position. 

PTI Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir has been elected as the Chairman of the Sen­ate Standing Committee on Petroleum.