PML-N finally bows head before Zardari, Shujaat in Punjab

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), which was previously known as the most powerful political party of Punjab, has bowed its head before the former rivals Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain after a dramatic victory in Punjab CM elections.

PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari and PML-Q’s Shujaat Hussain have claimed complete credit for the victory of PML-N’s Hamza Shahbaz in the recent Punjab CM elections after the ruling party went helpless following a humiliating defeat in the hands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in July 22 by-polls and gained a clear majority in the Punjab Assembly.

Zardari’s stay in Punjab had borne the fruit for the ruling political alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), whereas, the PML-Q chief Shujaat Hussain played a vital role in the defeat of the PTI in the CM elections. However, both political characters left nothing in the hands of PML-N in Punjab.

Shujaat Hussain’s support for Hamza Shahbaz: Zardari’s achievement or magic call

The whole PML-N leadership has vanished from the public appearance after the Punjab by-polls defeat. Neither PML-N President and prime minister Shehbaz Sharif nor Maryam Nawaz or Hamza Shahbaz were seen holding meetings with the rivals but Zardari held conclusive meetings with Shujaat Hussain.

After getting the victory in Punjab by-polls, PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Zardari and Shujaat for their vital role in the CM elections. He said in a Twitter thread that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is the political heir of Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Shaheed and he revived the democratic tradition of his great father and family.

While paying tribute to the PML-Q chief, he said that Shujaat’s role was the victory of democracy and the constitutional norms. He also praised Zardari and said that the PPP co-chairman played a historical role for the Constitution, democracy and the nation besides ending the crisis of political tolerance.

PM Sharif also thanked Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other allies including MQM-P, ANP, BNP and BAP who played their roles for the protection of democracy in the country.

اللہ تعالیٰ کے حضور سجدہ شکر بجا لاتے ہیں جس نے ہمیں ایک بار پھر سرخرو فرمایا۔ چوہدری شجاعت حسین چوہدری ظہور الٰہی شہید کے سیاسی وارث اور علمبردار ہیں۔ انہوں نے ایک بار پھر اپنے عظیم والد اور خاندان کی جمہوری روایت کو زندہ و جاوید کیا۔ ان کا یہ کردار جمہوریت اور آئینی اقدار ۔۔۔

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 22, 2022

Punjab CM election

When the voting process was completed yesterday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi got 186 votes while Hamza Shahbaz secured 179 votes.

PA Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari declared the result and declared Hamza Shahbaz the winner, saying that all 10 votes of PML-Q were rejected in the light of party chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s letter. Hamza Shahbaz won by 3 votes and was re-elected as the Punjab CM.

Legal experts say Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari has misinterpreted the decision given by the Supreme Court (SC) on Article 63A.