The political landscape in Punjab witnessed turbulence as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed the arrest of its Chief Minister candidate, Mian Aslam Iqbal. Amir Dogar, a prominent PTI leader, made this assertion on Friday, just hours after the swearing-in ceremony for members of the Punjab Assembly.
Dogar stated that Iqbal would assume the oath once he was “recovered,” indicating an apparent discrepancy in the events. Notably, there was a lack of communication with Iqbal, and his current whereabouts remained shrouded in uncertainty. Earlier, Iqbal had proactively obtained bail from the Peshawar High Court to preempt any potential arrest.
In the inaugural session on Friday, 85 PTI members, aligned with the Sunni Ittehad Council, took the oath. The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated Maryam Nawaz as its candidate for chief minister, adding further intensity to the unfolding political scenario in Punjab.
A total of 313 newly elected representatives, comprising 201 from the PML-N and 98 from the Sunni Ittehad Council, pledged their oaths as members of the provincial assembly during the belated Punjab Assembly session. The assembly’s initiation occurred post-Friday prayers, symbolizing a critical juncture in Punjab’s political trajectory.
Outgoing Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan, after administering the oath, extended prayers for the success of the newly elected lawmakers. In a personal appeal, he expressed hope that the members would exhibit patience while listening to each other.
The election for the speaker and deputy speaker is slated for the following day, employing secret balloting, with the deadline for nomination papers set at 5 pm on the same day. The political arena in Punjab remains dynamic, marked by legal maneuvers and shifting allegiances.
