During a media talk, Bilawal was asked if there was any truth to the news about PML-N senators having abstained from voting for the opposition's candidates. He said, "Every Senator remained loyal.", adding that the opposition won its Senate seats due to the unity within the PDM. Further, Bilawal said that the recently-held Senate polls have 'washed the stain' of the past Senate elections.
Earlier on Thursday, the united opposition faced defeat as its nominees for the post of Senate chair and deputy chairman could not win the election. PDM candidate Yousaf Raza Gilani was defeated by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Sadiq Sanjrani by seven votes. Eight votes were said to be rejected, seven of which were reportedly cast in Gilani's favour.
The opposition challenged the rejections of these seven votes and termed it an act of rigging.