ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s political secretary Asif Kirmani was elected senator unopposed on Thursday. The Senate seat fell vacant after the resignation of Babar Awan. According to details, independent candidate Sarfaraz Qureshi’s nomination papers were rejected for lack of authentication while the other candidate Hafiz Nauman withdrew his nomination papers, leaving Kirmani as the sole competitor. Talking to the media, Kirmani expressed his gratitude toward party leadership. He also commented on the situation arising out of Panama case, asserting that Nawaz will remain PM even after the 2018 elections. “For the past one year, the opposition has been engaged in politics of mere accusation,” he said, adding, “Every conspiracy against the government will be unveiled soon.” Published in Daily Times, July 28th , 2017.