ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is chairing a high-level consultative party meeting to devise a strategy on the forthcoming by-polls and local government elections in Punjab following the de-seating of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians, according to the PM House.
The premier, who is also the PML-N president sought the party’s opinion to contest by-polls on vacant seats, NA-122, NA-154 and NA-125, or to move the apex court for an appeal.
According to sources, the party decided to contest by-elections instead of moving the Supreme Court.
Further, Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique who earlier sought a stay order from the Supreme Court against the election tribunal’s decision was advised to withdraw his petition from court and to contest for the seat again.
Meanwhile, Ayaz Sadiq was asked by the party’s senior leadership not to file an appeal in the top court and to wait for the decision by PM Nawaz.
Read: PML-N loses 3rd wicket as re-poll ordered in NA-154
Sources said a majority of PML-N leaders asked the premier to re-elect Sadiq as custodian of the house instead of choosing someone else as the speaker.
Sadiq’s re-election from NA-122 would at least take three months and the party suggested that the deputy speaker be allowed to handle responsibilities until then, the source said, adding it was up to PM Nawaz to decide and the meeting is still underway.
PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, federal ministers, ministers of state and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were among those present during the meeting.
The post Key decisions expected as PM Nawaz chairs party’s consultative meeting on by-polls appeared first on The Express Tribune.
