PML-N on the cusp of forming govts
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and politician Maryam Nawaz Sharif, his brother and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, and former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb gesture as they gather at the party office of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in Lahore on February 9, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
The PML-N is on the brink of clinching majority in both the federal and Punjab assemblies, solidifying its status as a dominant political force in the country's political landscape.
The party has reached the requisite numbers to establish governments at both levels, owing to the inclusion of independent members and the backing of allies such as the PPP, PML-Q, and MQM.
Currently, these parties collectively hold 159 general seats in the National Assembly.
Alongside 7 independent members, the PML-N commands 82 seats, the PPP holds 54, the MQM secures 17, the PML-Q claims 3, while the IPP and BAP have 2 and 1 seat respectively in the National Assembly.
The PML-N stands poised to secure 18 out of the total 60 reserved seats for women in the lower house of parliament. It is also positioned to claim 3 out of the 10 minority seats. Meanwhile, the PPP is anticipated to secure 12 reserved seats for women and 2 minority seats based on its current position.
Efforts by the MQM aim to secure 4 reserved seats for women, while smaller parties collectively strive for 3 women seats.
These concerted efforts could potentially bolster the coalition's strength in the National Assembly to 202 members, comfortably exceeding the support needed for a simple majority of 169 members.
Read more: Half a dozen newly-elected independents join PML-N in Punjab
Furthermore, the inclusion of numerous independent members into the PML-N has paved the way for government formation in Punjab, bolstering the party's influence in the province. The addition of these independents has elevated the PML-N's tally in Punjab to 151 seats.
To establish government rule in Punjab, a political party must secure 186 seats out of the total 371 seats in the provincial assembly. These comprise 297 general seats, 66 seats reserved for women, and 8 seats reserved for minorities.
In Punjab, each political party will be allocated one seat for women for every 4.5 general seats it secures, and one minority seat for every 37.12 general seats obtained.
As per the current party standings, out of the 66 seats reserved for women in the Punjab Assembly, the PML-N is set to secure 33 seats, while the PML-Q and PPP will each secure two seats. Independent candidates supported by the PTI may contribute to winning 28 such seats.
With support from 151 members, the PML-N has positioned itself to secure 4 minority seats. Once women and minority seats are filled, the party's strength will rise to 188 members.
However, with the inclusion of the PPP, PML-Q, and IPP in the government alliance, the coalition's membership in the Punjab Assembly will swell to 214.
Following a meeting at PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain's residence, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif nominated Maryam Nawaz as the candidate for Punjab CM on Tuesday.
“The decision to nominate Maryam for the position has been made by the party leadership and the Quaid [Nawaz Sharif],” said Shehbaz, who himself is nominated as the joint candidate of three major parties—PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P—for the position of the prime minister.