ISLAMABAD: After accepting resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has summoned a session of the Punjab Assembly tomorrow (Saturday/April 2) to elect new chief minister.
The governor wrote: “In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 109 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, I, Mohammad Sarwar, the governor of Punjab, hereby summon the 40th session of the provincial assembly of Punjab to meet on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 11am.”
It added that the session was summoned for the election of the chief minister of Punjab under Article 130 of the Constitution.
Ruling party, PTI has nominated Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as its candidate for Punjab Chief Minister position while PML(N) has nominated Hamza Shahbaz as its candidate for the CM election.
Initially, names of MPAs Hamza Shahbaz and Aleem Khan were discussed in the PML(N) meetings, but PML(N) leader Rana Sanaullah announced name of Hamza Shahbaz Friday night.
Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had presented his resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 28 after a delegation of senior lawmakers submitted a no-trust motion against him with Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti on the same day.
Following Buzdar’s resignation, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf announced PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as its candidate for Punjab chief minister.
The move had come as the ruling party had stepped up efforts to ensure the support of its allies ahead of a no-trust vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan, against the backdrop of multiple PTI allies joining the opposition.
The PML-Q, which is a crucial ally of the PTI government in Punjab and Centre, with 10 and five seats, respectively, had later confirmed its support for the ruling party.
To be elected as chief minister, a candidate will have to secure at least 186 votes in the 371-member Punjab Assembly.
The PML-N has 165 lawmakers, the PTI 183, PML-Q 10, PPP seven, independents five and Rah-i-Haq Party one in the provincial assembly. Of the 165 PML-N MPAs, four of them have defected and formed a group under Jalil Sharaqpuri, who have already been expelled from the party.
If the Tareen group doesn’t back Elahi, he would need at least three independents, Rah-i-Haq’s one and over 15 PML-N defectors.
However, Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan groups will have decisive role in the election of Punjab Chief Minister tomorrow.
