PML-N in a double bind to get CCB vice-president slot

No party holds clear majority to get the important seat

RAWALPINDI:

Following the Chakala cantonment board elections, the number game has begun in the Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) as no party holds a clear majority to get the vice-president slot.

Of the 10 seats in CCB, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) won five seats, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) two, the Jamat-e-Islami (JI) two and one by an independent candidate.

Sources said that the PML-N has not given a clear answer to the demand of JI which wanted a reserved seat and the vice-president slot for two years in case of support for the PML-N.

The PTI has contacted JI’s political committee head, Raza Ahmed Shah, through Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat to equalise the five-seat figure of PML-N with five members including those from PTI, JI, and an independent candidate.

PTI MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq has already met the JI’s leadership, the sources said.

Read PML-N will 'bury' PTI in 2023 polls: Shehbaz

According to the sources, if PTI makes the coalition of five against PML-N’s five members, the election on the reserved seats will be held on a toss. If the coalition gets both reserved seats, it will be able to elect the vice-president.

Similarly, if both sides win one reserved seat, the election for the vice-president slot will take place on a toss as well.

Interestingly, PML-N leaders, including Hanif Abbasi and Abrar Ahmed, have so far exhibited a political silence as the situation evolves.

The communication between the JI and PTI has gained pace after the former did not receive a response from the PML-N, the sources said adding that the PML-N has not yet finalised the candidate between Raja Irfan Imtiaz and Chaudhry Changez Khan for vice-president.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2021.