Despite Lahore’s reputation as a PML-N stronghold, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was able to win 15 of the province’s 20 available seats in a by election.
With this development, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s path to becoming Punjab’s chief minister is much more open. The PML-Q and PTI gained 15 seats, bringing their total to 188 in the Punjab Assembly.
The PTI currently has 178 members, whereas the PML-Q only has 10. Since the PML-N only has 164 members and has lost 2 due to resignations, PTI’s nominee for chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi will win with 188 votes.
If the resignations are accepted before July 22, the party will have 162 members; with the addition of the four seats, it gained in the by-elections, it would have 166 members. PPP holds 7 seats, while Rah-e-Haq holds 1. With the addition of these four MPAs, there are now 178 in total.
As a result, there appears to be no real impediment to Chaudhry Pervez Elahi becoming Chief Minister of Punjab, albeit four independent members who previously voted for Hamza Shahbaz as Chief Minister might switch their support to Pervez.
With 194 votes, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has a chance to become prime minister.
