Imran Khan to be sworn in as PM before August 14, says PTI

islamabad — Imran Khan will be sworn in as Pakistan’s next prime minister before the country’s independence day on August 14, his party has announced as it is trying to reach out to smaller parties and independents to form the next government.

Though the Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) has emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly after the July 25 elections, the party is still short of numbers to form its government on its own.

PTI leader Naeem-ul-Haq told media that consultations are on to complete the number game.

“We have done our homework and he will take oath as prime minister before August 14, Haq said.

According to the complete preliminary results announced by the ECP, the PTI has obtained 115 general seats 12 short of a simple majority while the PML-N and PPP have won 64 and 43 seats, respectively.

National Assembly — the lower

house of parliament — comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 are directly elected. A party can only form the government if it manages to secure 172 seats in total.

Meanwhile, political activities are in full swing and parties are holding open meetings and secret parleys to arrange the political chessboard.

Four newly elected independent Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) in Punjab on Saturday announced joining Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) after a meeting with

party chief Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence.

Hussain Jehanian Gardezi from Kabirwala, Syed Rafaqat Hussain Shah, Basharat Randhawa from Layyah and Hameed Khan Patafi from Dera Ghazi Khan are the new members of the PTI in Punjab, said a press release.

“The people of Dera Ghazi Khan have given me a heavy mandate and I promised them that I would win this seat and gift it to PTI chairperson Imran Khan,” said Hameed. “We were also contacted by the PML-N but we joined the PTI because we trust its leadership.”

The PTI has emerged as the second largest party in the province with 127 seats.

The PML-N, which has been ruling the Punjab for the last 10 years, has 129 seats in the provincial assembly. To form the government in the province, a party needs 149 seats.

Country’s two major parties — the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) — are expected to meet in a couple of days to devise a joint strategy in a bid to give a tough time to the PTI in parliament,

Dawn reported.

The Pakistani electronic media has been airing reports on possible candidates for key government offices and possible members of the federal cabinet.

The PTI leaders who have won more than one seat will have to vacate additional seats as the law allows an individual to retain only one seat. —