Nawaz Sharif’s Party secured majority in Pakistan
Lahore: Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N has secured majority in Pakistan’s National Assembly after 18 independent candidates joined the party.
Earlier, the Legharis were with the PML-Q and the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf while the Sharazis were with the Pakistan People’s Party.
The Hiraj family of Punjab’s Khanewal district has also joined the PML-N after ditching the PML-Q.
Maverick lawmaker Jamshad Dasti, who won polls to a parliamentary seat in Muzaffarghar district as an independent candidate after saying goodbye to the PPP, has also joined hands with the PML-N.
Dasti also defeated the father of former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in another parliamentary constituency.
To win a simple majority in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, a party or coalition needs 137 of the 272 directly elected seats. Now PML-N has 142 seats in the Parliament.
Another 70 seats, reserved for women and non-Muslims, will be allocated to parties according to their performance in the polls.
To have a majority in the 342-member National Assembly, a party or coalition needs 172 seats.
The 102-member Senate or upper house of the parliament is currently controlled by the PPP.
The PML-N will assume charge of the government by June 2, according to caretaker information minister Arif Nazami.
In the Punjab Assembly, 40 legislators-elect have also joined the PML-N.
The opposition in the House of 284 directly elected members will now comprise less than 40 members. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, with 20 seats, will be the main opposition party in Punjab.
