PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured Speaker of Punjab Assembly and PML-Q Chaudhry Parvez Elahi that they would work together after a sweeping victory in Punjab by-polls.
Sunday, in a major achievement, PTI wrested control of Punjab back from the PML-N with a landslide victory in the by-election on 20 constituencies. PTI won 15 constituencies, dealing a major blow to the PML-N, who only clinched four.
According to the details in the media, Parvez Elahi called Imran Khan to congratulate him on the victory. The two leaders discussed issues related to the political situation in the aftermath of the results of the Punjab by-polls and the formation of government in Punjab. As a result, Imran Khan assured Elahi that they will work together with him.
Read more: Congratulations PTI for learning to stand on your own feet
On the other hand, Parvez Elahi claimed that he is ready to dissolve the Punjab Assembly in two seconds on former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s call. The PML-Q leader gave credit for the ‘victory’ in Punjab by-elections to Imran Khan, saying that the strategy made by the former premier was ‘perfect’.
What’s next?
PTI’s victory on 20 seats of the Punjab Assembly is of paramount importance as it will now decide the fate of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz. To clarify, with a now majority, PTI is likely to defeat PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz when a recount of votes for the chief minister election takes place on July 22.
According to political analysts, the new Chief Minister will be from PML-Q, possibly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi himself since he has previously served in the post from 2002 to 2007.
Meanwhile, the election for the CM will be held on July 22 on the Supreme Court’s order and #PTI–#PMLQ joint candidate Chaudhary #ParvezElahi is likely to be the new CM of the politically crucial province #Punjab. pic.twitter.com/kq4rD2NBzJ
— Koshal Dar (@DarKoshal) July 18, 2022
Important to note that PML-Q and PTI share a close bond which grew stronger when PML-N and PPP were bringing in the no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In fact, PML-Q had demanded the slot of Punjab CMship in exchange for its support to either PTI or PML-N. However, PML-Q side with PTI and it seems that the latter has some promises to fulfill.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif agrees to give Punjab CM seat to PML-Q