Lahore: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said on Monday that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was like an elder brother to him and he could say what he liked. “PM Abbasi is like an elder brother to me and can say what he pleases,” the Senate chairman said while responding to a question during his visit to Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore. Sanjrani also said that he hasn’t done anything to upset the premier. “Lahore is the heart of Pakistan, and my heart beats for Pakistan.” Earlier, the Senate chairman was presented a guard of honour upon arrival at the premises. He laid a floral wreath on the tomb and offered prayers. PM Abbasi had earlier urged the members of the opposition to jointly nominate a new Senate chairman stating that Sanjrani was elected on ‘votes that were bought’. On March 24, while addressing an inauguration ceremony in Lahore, Abbasi held that the recently elected Senate chairman commanded no respect as votes in his favour were ‘bought’. The prime minister stressed that the matter should be resolved amicably to avoid disgrace. “The Senate chairman also serves as the acting president and it is a disgrace to the country that a man who bought votes became the leader of the Upper House. Can there be any respect for the country after that?” he said. On Sunday, the Senate chairman opted to travel to Lahore on a train in his first trip to the city since he took the post last month. Strict security measures were taken during the Senate chairman’s visit. He also paid respects at the Data Darbar. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwala were elected after the opposition parties, mainly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), joined hands to secure the top posts in the upper house. Sanjrani secured 57 votes against 46 by PML-N candidate Raja Zafarul Haq. Mandviwala secured 54 votes against 44 bagged by Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Usman Kakar. Published in Daily Times, April 17th 2018.