LAHORE
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz took oath as Punjab’s new chief executive on Saturday morning, after his dramatic win in the run-off election for the province’s top office Friday night.
At a simple but impressive ceremony at the Governor’s House in Lahore, Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman administered the oath of office to Hamza Shehbaz.
The swearing-in event at the Governor’s House was attended by a large number of PML-N and allied parties’ leaders, legislators and other government officials.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Punjab Hamza Shahbaz on Saturday thanked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), its allies and especially former president Asif Ali Zardari and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat for support in his election as Punjab’s leader of the House.
Hamza Shahbaz, in a tweet thanked Allah Almighty for his success in the election besides thanking allied parties, especially senior leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, for playing a crucial role in strengthening democracy in the country.
The chief minister vowed that he will continue to serve the masses of the province.
Hamza had won the election after getting 179 votes and Parvez Elahi got 186 votes; however, after Chaudhary Shujaat’s letter, the Deputy Speaker rejected 10 votes of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) in Elahi’s favour.
The Deputy Speaker refused to count the 10 votes cast by the PML-Q MPAs citing Article 63 (1) (A) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, the parliamentary strength of the opposition alliance was reduced to 176.
Earlier, in his tweets, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Ch Shujaat, former president Asif Ali Zardari and other allies for their support.
The PM wrote on his official Twitter handle: “We bow before Allah Ta’ala Who has blessed us with victory once again. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is a pioneer and political heir of Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Shaheed. He once again revived the democratic tradition of his great father and family. His role defines victory of democracy and constitutional values for which I pay tribute to Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, his family, and colleagues. Former president Asif Ali Zardari has played a historic role for the constitution, democracy and the people. Former president Zardari’s political tolerance ended the crisis.
“I pay tribute to Mr Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal Bhutto, MQM, ANP, BNP, BAP and all the respected leaders of the coalition parties individually, for their political insight, unity and support. Democracy won. The nation salutes you all.”
