ISLAMABAD – PTI has been able to secure support of 140 MPAs including eightfrom PML Q. However it is still short of at least 8 to 9 members.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have gained the upper hand over PakistanMuslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after nine of independent candidates decided tojoin it.

The PML-N has emerged as the largest party in Punjab with 129 seats, thePTI at number two with 123 members-elect, PML-Q (8), PPP (6) andindependents have achieved 28 seats in the directly elected house of 297.

At least 149 (directly elected) MPAs are required to form a government.With the addition of 66 women on reserved seats and eight minorities, atleast 185 members are required to form a government.

With the joining of the independent MPAs-elect, the PTI tally in the PunjabAssembly has reached 132.

The PTI had refused to give those independent MPAs-elect party tickets tocontest the July 25 general elections.

The sources said PTI Punjab President Abdul Aleem Khan and former secretarygeneral Jahangir Tareen met the candidates and convinced them to join theparty.

The candidates, who joined the PTI include Muhammad Salman Naeem fromPP-217, Tahir Randhawa (PP-280), Rafaqat Ali Gillani (PP-284), Basit SultanBukhari (PP-272) and Almadar Abbas from PP-277 in Muzaffargarh.

Similarly, independent candidate from Muzaffargarh Abdul Hayi Dasti fromPP-270 also joined the PTI.