KARACHI: The last-minute drama that turned the tables on the opposition PTI-PML-Q alliance in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, leading to the surprise election of PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz as chief minister drew mixed reaction, with the coalition government welcoming it and the opposition rejecting it as against the norms of democracy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to celebrate the victory of his son. He showered praise on PML-Q chief Shujaat Hus­sain, the main character behind the turnaround, for maintaining the democratic traditions that his great family has upheld all along.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb thanked Allah for the success of PML-N’s candidate in the election for Punjab CM. In a thinly-veiled reference to the PTI leadership, they said Allah did not like arrogance.

They said the decision made by Chaudhry Shujaat would serve to keep the country from “Imrani fitna”. Taking potshots at Imran Khan, they accused the PTI chairman of trying to plunge the country into chaos.

They said PML-N and its allied parties welcomed “the great decision made by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain”.

Rana Sana warned Imran Khan against hurling threats and said the government would tackle the matter strictly if the PTI tried to disrupt law and order. There will be no compromise on the rule of law, he said.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s verdict in the presidential reference, the ministers said it was made abundantly clear by the court that no legislator could vote against the directives issued by their party heads. It was in light of this judgement that 25 members of the Punjab Assembly were deseated.

The interior minister condemned hurling threats on government officials.

In his comment, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari wrote on Twitter: “Aik Zardari Sab Pe Bhaari.”

In a statement, Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri said PPP leader Asif Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat had again strengthened the politics of tolerance.

Criticising the PTI, she said the Imran-led party had introduced the politics of name-calling and threats in the country.

While ridiculing the manner in which the election for CM was conducted, PTI leader and former deputy speaker Qasim Suri tweeted: “Constitution Article 63A(b): Direction to vote for or against a candidate is issued to party legislators by parliamentary party in a legislature & not by party head.

“So it is PMLQ parliamentary party in Punjab Assembly which directs its members & not Ch. Shujaat.”

In another tweet while ref­erring to Chaudhry Shujaat’s letter, he wrote in Urdu, “Khat party kay 10 parliamani arakeen soobai assembly ko aana thha lekin kabutar deputy speaker ki table par rakh aaya.”

In his tweet, another PTI leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that a “greedy and elite class” had taken over the country and they least bothered about the rule of law, logic and ethics.

“We must snatch our country from them and force them out of the country. There is no other solution”, he wrote. “Imported Hukumat namanzoor”.

PML-Q chief Shujaat Hussain has maintained the democratic traditions that his great family has upheld all along. The role played by Chaudhry Shujaat ensured victory of constitutional values.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

How crucial this election had become can be gauged from the fact that the house of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat that remained united throughout all political changes spanning over decades fell apart on Friday. In the contest, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi got 186 votes against Hamza Shehbaz’s 179. However, Hamza emerged as winner as PML-Q’s 10 votes were not counted on the basis of Chaudhry Shujaat’ letter asking the party’s MPAs not to vote for the candidate backed by PTI chairman Imran Khan.

We reject Punjab Assembly deputy speaker’s decision. Article 63A(b) says direction to vote is issued to party legislators by parliamentary party in a legislature & not by party head.” Former NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri PM Sharif said the role played by Chaudhry Shujaat was in fact victory of constitutional values.

He also paid tribute to PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari for the “historic role” that he played for upholding the Constitution, democracy and the interests of masses.

PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari and PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat have again strengthened the politics of tolerance. Imran-led party had introduced the politics of name-calling and threats.” Federal Minister Shazia Marri

The prime minister also paid tribute to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as well as the leadership of allied parties MQM, BNP, ANP and BAP.

A ‘greedy and elite class’ has taken over the country and they take least care for rule of law, logic and ethics. We must snatch our country from them and force them out of the country. There is no other solution.” PTI leader Chaudhry Fawad

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2022