Numbers game: PML-N in comfortable position for grabbing PM slot

ISLAMABAD: Enjoying the support of 213 members of National Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and allies were in comfortable position for grabbing Prime Minister's slot.

The nominee of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was in comfortable position to be elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

PML-N has 188 MNAs in the National Assembly.

According to party position appearing on National Assembly's website, Pakistan Peoples’ Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) has 47 MNAs, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has 33 members.

Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) enjoys the support of 24 members.

Jamait Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has 13 MNAs, Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) 5, Jamat-i-Islami 4, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) 3, National People Party (NPP) 2, Pakistan Muslim League 2, Awami National Party 02, while Balochistan National Party (BNP), Quomi Watan Party (QWP), Pakistan Muslim League Zia (PMl-Z), National Party (NP), Awami Muslim League (AML), Awami Jamhori Ittehad Pakistan and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) are enjoying the support of one MNA each.

There are eight independent members in the assembly.

Nomination papers:

Shahid Khaqan of PML-N and Sheikh Rashid on behalf of PTI obtained the nomination papers, while Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah also obtained six nomination papers from the Office of the Secretary National Assembly today.

While the PTI has nominated Sh Rashid as their PM's candidate, Khrshid Shah contacted other opposition parties for fielding a joint candidate and has convened a meeting tomorrow at 10am to discuss the matter.

On the other hand, Shahid Khaqan telephoned ANP Leader Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and requested to support his candidacy. He also met JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman to seek his support.

Election on August 01

President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned the National Assembly session to meet on Tuesday (August 01) at 3pm to deal with single-point agenda of election of the new prime minister following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court on Friday.

The president has summoned the National Assembly session in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Schedule of election: Candidates can receive nomination papers from NA Speaker office by 3pm on July 30. Nomination papers can be filed by 2pm on July 31 and the Speaker will examine papers by 3pm. The election will be held at 3pm on August 1.