LAHORE: The PML-N says despite all support from different quarters, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf managed to get affidavit of loyalty from just 11 independent MPAs-elect out of total 28.

“We have got the assurance from a good number of independents and we will give a surprise to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on the election of the chief minister,” PML-N MPA-elect and former Punjab government spokesman, Malik Muhammad Ahmad, told Dawn on Wednesday.

Read: PTI claims it has numbers to form govt at Centre, Punjab

He said the PTI had support from all quarters and despite this it could only manage to get affidavit from 11 independents.

PTI managed to get affidavit of loyalty from 11 MPAs-elect

“It shows most of the independents want to go along with the PML-N,” he said, adding the party was negotiating with the PPP for both in the Centre and Punjab and hopefully an understanding would be reached with it shortly. “The PPP’s role is very crucial in formation of the government in Punjab,” he said.

To a question about emergence of a forward bloc in PML-N, Mr Ahmad said: “The whole parliamentary party in Punjab was united and standing behind PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif.”

Former law minister Rana Sanaullah told Dawn that the PML-N had completed its homework with regard to achieving the required number to form the government. “We will not disclose whom we got pledge to vote for our candidate. It will remain secret till voting for the speaker, deputy speaker and chief minister election,” he said, adding Shahbaz Sharif would finalise who would be the party’s candidate for the top slot in the province.

The PML-N emerged as the largest party in Punjab with 129 seats, followed by PTI’s 123, PML-Q eight, PPP six and independents got 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.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2018