LAHORE: The provincial capital was abuzz with political activities on Thursday as rival political parties heads held meetings to finalize strategies as the province’s administrative fate set to be decided in less than 24 hours.
The PTI and its key ally, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), held a parliamentary party session at a hotel in Lahore to check their number game and devise a strategy for the Punjab CM’s election.
PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that 186 members were present at the session that was later also addressed by party chairman Imran Khan. It is pertinent to mention that 186 is the number of MPAs whose support the chief minister’s candidates would have to demonstrate in the crucial election on Friday (today).
In the meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan warned against manipulating the Punjab CM’s election, saying the public will not be “in control” if the election for Punjab chief minister is manipulated.
“Don’t think for one moment that the people will sit idle in case of manipulation of the polls,” Imran said while addressing his supporters via video link on Thursday. “I want to make it clear that the PTI will not tolerate theft of the public’s vote with their own money,” he added.
The former prime minister accused his rival political parties of using money to buy loyalties ahead of the crucial poll.
Various posts on the PTI’s Twitter account also showed rallies and gatherings of the party’s supporters that were addressed by its leaders in various cities.
Meanwhile, PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari visited and held a meeting with PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his Zahoor Elahi Road residence.
Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and its allied parties were making all out efforts to take the democratic process forward in a transparent manner.
The PML-N believed in promoting democratic tendency in a positive way and free and fair Punjab by-elections were an example to that, he said while talking to a private news channel.
He said the government sacrificed its political gains over national interest and took difficult decisions to revive fragile economy and bringing stability in the country’s economy.
About the CM Punjab’s elections, the minister said that Hamza Shehbaz would remain the chief minister. The government would complete its constitutional tenure and general elections would be held in 2023.
CH SHUJAAT ADAMANT ON MAKING ELAHI PUNJAB CM
PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Thursday reiterated his support for Pervaiz Elahi for the slot of Punjab Chief Minister (CM).
In the face of rumors and hectic efforts by PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Ch Shujaat Hussain thrown his weight behind Pervaiz Elahi and directed the party members to vote for the Punjab Assembly speaker in the election of provincial chief minister.
Shujaat Hussain, while clearing the air around CM Punjab’s election, said that Pervaiz Elahi was the PML-Q candidate for the position of Punjab chief minister, directing the party members to support and vote for him.
On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that politically aware PTI lawmakers whose conscience is “alive” will never vote for PML-Q leader Cha Pervaiz Elahi in the chief minister’s election on Friday.
“It is likely that the PTI [MPAs] who are politically aware would not vote for Pervaiz Elahi… they [PTI] would call him the ‘biggest dacoit’ of Punjab and now you are asking your own people to vote for him,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday.
SOPS FOR PA SESSION TO ELECT CM PUNJAB
Secretary Punjab Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti has issued SOPs for the crucial Punjab Assembly session on the directives of the Supreme Court to hold elections for Punjab chief minister.
According to the SOPs issued by the secretary, the members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) and staff have been directed against bringing guests inside the assembly. “The speaker’s box, officers’ box and visitors’ gallery will remain close and only the media gallery will remain open,” the secretary said, adding that media will be allowed to cover the election from the gallery.
The MPAs have been directed to carry NICs and leave their phone outside the assembly premises. “The police will only perform administrative affairs outside the gate of the assembly secretariat,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court issued detailed order regarding Chief Minister (CM) Punjab’s election on July 22.
The 10-page detailed order from the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial was written by Justice Ijazul Ahsan.
