Imran Khan’s PTI Set To Form Government At The Centre In Pakistan, State Government In Punjab

Former cricketer and would-be Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has said that it has the required numbers to form the government at the Centre and the state of Punjab, ANI has reported. A party spokesperson has claimed that the party has received the support of 168 out of the 328 members of the assembly.

The party has secured the support of seven independent candidates, six from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), four from Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q), and two from Balochistan Awami Party and the Grand Democratic Alliance. PML-Q and PTI have entered into an agreement wherein PML-Q is promised various ministries in the central and the Punjab government.

In the Punjab Assembly, a party needs at least 149 seats to form the government]. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the largest party in Punjab with 129 seats. However, PTI, coming in second with 123 seats, has already garnered support of 13 other members, taking its tally to 136. It is reported that several other assembly members have also declared their support to PTI after a meeting with Imran Khan.

Following the elections on 25 July, PTI was declared the largest party after winning 115 of the 270 National Assembly seats that were contested for and fell short of the 137 mark which is required for an absolute majority.