LAHORE: Punjab Assembly (PA) is set to hold one of the most crucial sessions as the name of Punjab’s new chief minister (CM) will be unveiled today at 4PM. The session will be chaired by Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari.
After the Punjab by-polls, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has a clear majority. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi stands out as the favourite candidate for the new CM Punjab post, replacing Hamza Shehbaz of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N).
PTI vs PML-N – Numbers Game
On Thursday, the 19 candidates who emerged victorious in Punjab by-elections took the oath. Fifteen members belonged to the PTI and only four from PML-N. Earlier, PTI had 163 members in PA and had the support of PML-Q’s ten members, which increased its tally to 173. However, after the by-polls, the scenario has changed altogether as PTI now has 188 members, whereas it needed only 186 to re-gain a simple majority.
On the other hand, the incumbent government is on the verge to lose its power in the Centre. PML-N has only 179 members after the support from Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party, and three Independent candidates. The Shehbaz Sharif-led party faced a huge setback when Faisal Niazi and Jaleel Sharaqpuri resigned and left his side.
Meanwhile, it’s still not clear which party will get the vote of Chaudhry Nisar.
Punjab Assembly Showdown, Deputy Speaker asks for Strict Security
Deputy Speaker Mazari wrote a letter to the provincial chief secretary and asked for strict security arrangements during the PA session. Mazari stated that security forces were required during the chief minister’s election.
Earlier, the Lahore High Court had also issued directives to the chief secretary of Punjab and Inspector-General of Police. The court said that authorities assured a secure environment for MPAs so they could safely cast their votes.
