LAHORE: Punjab is likely to have the first ever Opposition leader from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf which has emerged as the second largest party in the House. So far, PTI has taken nearly 20 seats in Punjab Assembly followed by seven of PML-Q and five of PPP according to the unofficial results.
Though the election results on different seats of Punjab have also come as a shock for PTI which has clinched lesser seats than expected amid charges of allegations on PML-N, yet it is in a clear position to lead Opposition in Punjab.
So far, two major names seem in circulation in the PTI cadres over the slot of Opposition leader and it is likely that party may nominate any of its senior members who got elected from Lahore. The name of Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed seems at the top of the list at the moment in PTI circles as the possible parliamentary leader of party and the opposition leader. Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed is the only PTI MPA who has got elected as the member of Punjab Assembly for the third time as prior to this election; he had served as MPA in 1988 and 1990 terms. Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, who also served as PTI President Lahore for five years and also the party head of Lahore when it held its first successful public gathering on October 30, 2011 has been associated with party for more than a decade.
Mian Aslam Iqbal, former Provincial Minister of PML-Q in the 2002 term is also another major PTI figure whose name can be considered for the slot. Aslam Iqbal entered election politics through the Local Government elections of 2001 when he was elected Nazim of a Union Council in Samanabad area, falling in Samanabad Town. His second major achievement was his victory as the Independent candidate from PP-148 when he defeated PML-N and MMA backed candidate against him. He joined PML-Q after winning the election and was made provincial minister later on. However, he lost the 2008 elections. Sources stated his name is also doing round in party for slot of Opposition leader. Raja Rashid Hafeez, another former MPA of 2002 has also won the election on PTI ticket from Rawalpindi and due to his experience, he is also considered a good choice for the slot.
