Two former PML-N MNAs from the Lodhran district have joined PTI, reported the media. They met with former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala.
According to details, former PML-N MNA Pir Iqbal Shah and former MPA Pir Amir Shah have decided to join PTI after PML-N decided to give party tickets to dissident PTI MPAs.
“Loyal party members not required to PML-N now, the party is now awarding tickets to defecting members and turncoats,” Pir Iqbal Shah was quoted as saying.
Pertinent to mention, Pir Iqbal Shah, a former MNA, had defeated Jahangir Tareen’s son Ali Tareen in a by-election in 2018.
Read more: PML-N denies calling Jahangir Tareen “sugar thief”?
Furthermore, according to reports, PML-N had tried to stop Iqbal Shah and Amir Shah from quitting the party. Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz had reportedly also expressed his disappointment at PML-N for failing to convince Iqbal Shah and Amir Shah.
Breaking News from Lodhran!
Ex MNA Iqbal Shah who defeated Ali Tareen in 2018 Bypolls & Ex MPA Aamir Iqbal Shah met Imran Khan & joined PTI. pic.twitter.com/90iGqLoqHU— PTI Politics. (@PTIPoliticsss) June 6, 2022
Curious case of Hamza’s election as Punjab Chief Minister
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had ordered the de-seating of the dissident MPAs under Article 63-A of the Constitution for voting against the party line in the election of the chief minister. The decision was announced on a reference sent to it by the Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
The votes of the 25 dissident PTI lawmakers were instrumental in the election of PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz, who got 197 votes in the 371-strong house. For the election of the chief minister, the candidate needs at least 186 votes.
Read more: SC Article 63-A verdict doesn’t apply to my election: Hamza Shehbaz
On the other hand, the Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the votes of dissident lawmakers would not be counted. Meanwhile, Hamza Shehbaz said the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution – which disqualified the dissident PTI members – did not apply to his election as Punjab Chief Minister.
The ECP has also announced that the by-polls on the 20 vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly will be held on July 17.