Soon after the Deputy Speaker announced the CM Punjab’s results in the favor of PML-N, Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was quick to react to the re-election of Hamza Shehbaz as CM Punjab by stating that ‘Zardari has outclassed everyone’
The PPP chairman in his latest Tweet wrote, “Aik Zardari Sab Pe Bhaari [One Zardari has outclassed everyone].”
The tweet has been receiving criticism by the public as it signals towards an open glorification of horse-trading by the PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
PTI has been repeatedly reporting that the menace of horse trading was in process ahead of Punjab CM elections, which if not stopped, would be an insult to the mandate of people.
It is pertinent to note that a day earlier, Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan took a jibe at PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari for ‘horse trading’ ahead of the elections.
Taking to Twitter, the former premier wrote: “Today Lahore is seeing a repeat of the Sindh House horse trading that happened in Islamabad with up to Rs50 crores being offered to buy MPAs [Members of Provincial Assembly].”
Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also stated that Asif Ali Zardari is openly offering money to PTI MPAs which is illegal and they should immediately be arrested.
He alleged that “Zardari managed to send MPA Masood Majeed to Turkey after paying Rs400 million to him. Zardari is using Sindh government’s resources for horse trading”
Chaudhry said that three more MPAs had submitted their affidavits to the apex court, explaining how they were offered bribes.
“We don’t know how many MPAs have been approached. No person who is involved in such tactics will ever be forgiven by people. This habit of sticking to power should now end,” he declared.
However, the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari rejected the allegations of ‘horse-trading ‘by stating that he has presented himself only for reconciliation on the political situation of the country and Punjab.
CM Punjab Election Results:
It should be noted that PML-N candidate Hamza Shehbaz has been re-elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab. PTI candidate Pervaiz Elahi bagged 186 votes while Hamza Shehbaz secured 179 votes.
A total of 186 votes were in favor of Pervaiz Elahi. However, the Deputy Speaker refused to count the 10 votes cast by the Muslim League (Q) MPA citing Article 63 (1) (A) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, the parliamentary strength of the opposition alliance was reduced to 176.
Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari read out a letter written by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain requesting the members of his party to vote for Hamza Shehbaz. Therefore, the Deputy Speaker said the lawmakers violated the order of Chaudhry Shujaat and rejected all the votes cast by the members of the Muslim League (Q).
