Punjab government race: PTI near the magic number
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ISLAMABAD - PTI has been able to secure support of 140 MPAs including eight from 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 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after nine of independent candidates decided to join it.
The PML-N has emerged as the largest party in Punjab with 129 seats, the PTI at number two with 123 members-elect, PML-Q (8), PPP (6) and independents 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, at least 185 members are required to form a government.
With the joining of the independent MPAs-elect, the PTI tally in the Punjab Assembly has reached 132.
The PTI had refused to give those independent MPAs-elect party tickets to contest the July 25 general elections.
The sources said PTI Punjab President Abdul Aleem Khan and former secretary general Jahangir Tareen met the candidates and convinced them to join the party.
The candidates, who joined the PTI include Muhammad Salman Naeem from PP-217, Tahir Randhawa (PP-280), Rafaqat Ali Gillani (PP-284), Basit Sultan Bukhari (PP-272) and Almadar Abbas from PP-277 in Muzaffargarh.
Similarly, independent candidate from Muzaffargarh Abdul Hayi Dasti from PP-270 also joined the PTI.
