ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had allotted seats reserved for women and minorities, raising the total number of PTI seats in the national assembly to 158.
It is followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 82 seats as the party will get two minority seats and 16 women seats and Pakistan People’s Party is on third number with 53 seats as the party will get two seats reserved for minorities and nine reserved for women.
The notifications have also been issued for 66 women and 8 minority members in Punjab, 29 women and 9 minority members in Sindh, 22 women and 3 minority members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 11 women and 3 minority members in Balochistan.
Out of 60 reserved seats for women, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has secured 28, Pakistan Muslim League-N 16, Pakistan People’s Party 9, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal 2 and one each by Grand Democratic Alliance, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Balochistan Awami Party and Balochistan National Party.
Out of 10 reserved seats for minorities, PTI has secured five, followed by PML-N and PPP with two each. MMA has secured one seat.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan wants the opposition on board regarding parliamentary matters, said party spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry after a delegation of PTI leaders met outgoing Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to discuss Monday’s National Assembly session.
Talking to media along with other leaders on Sunday, the PTI spokesperson said they want all political parties to move forward with them as they consider it essential for a good working relationship.
Chaudhry said the party would also meet the leaders of Pakistan People’s Party in the evening.
He added Pakistan is surrounded by problems, which can be resolved only through unity.
A party spokesperson said the PTI leaders met Sadiq to invite Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders to the oath-taking ceremony, where they expect Imran Khan to take oath as the prime minister.
The delegation of PTI leaders met Sadiq at the Speaker House, where former speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Asad Qaiser and former CM KP Pervez Khattak were also in attendance.
Besides the discussion on the upcoming National Assembly session, the PTI leaders and Sadiq also exchanged views on the election of a new speaker for the House.
The PTI leaders also expressed reservations over the allotments in parliamentary lodges.
PTI delegation comprising Asad Qaisar, Pervaiz Khattak, Umar Ayub and Fawad Chaudhry met PML-N leader and former National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.
Talking to media, Fawad Chaudhry said that the system cannot be run smoothly because of clashes with government and opposition. No one has objection over accountability as it is a part of the Constitution, he added.
He also invited PML-N leaders on the oath taking ceremony of Imran Khan while nominated NA speaker Asad Qaisar said that we want to strengthen working relation.
Meanwhile, Ayaz Sadiq said that PTI wants opposition to work with consultation for the development of the country.
Afterwards, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also telephoned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Shah and decided to meet in the evening.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Fawad Chaudhry has said that process of consultations is in progress to introduce amendments in accountability system of the country.
In an interview with a private channel, he said serious efforts will be made to bring back more than 200 billion dollars of Pakistanis stashed abroad.
Regarding foreign policy of his government, Fawad Chaudhry said foreign policy of PTI will be based on national interest and from state to state relations.
On a question about Afghanistan, the PTI leader said the conflict in Afghanistan can only be resolved through talks and political settlement.
On relations with the United States, Fawad Chaudhry said foreign relations with all countries will be based on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Regarding tribal areas, he said army will be called back to barracks once peace is established in that region and control will be gradually shifted to civilian administration.
When asked about his party’s position on China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the PTI leader said China is a long-term and dear friend of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and PM-designate Imran Khan on Sunday convened huddle of PTI’s parliamentary party to hold consultation over voting in National Assembly for speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister (PM), well-informed sources said.
The sources added Khan will preside over the meeting which is going to be held in Islamabad’s private hotel, a private television channel reported.
Inside-aware further disclosed Khan has made presence of every member mandatory in the session.
Khan will issue guidelines to newly elected members of NA and will also take them into confidence. Shah Mahmood Qureshi – during the same huddle – will brief members about the procedure of the voting for aforementioned slots.
Earlier today, Khan held in-depth discussions with the top brass of party over names for Punjab Chief Minister (CM) and formation of federal cabinet.
The Constitution makes it mandatory to convene NA session within 21 days of general elections. In the first session, newly elected members of the lower house of the parliament will take oath. Following this, the MNAs will go into voting to pick their speaker and deputy speaker.
The ballot for prime minister and opposition leader will held shortly after. – NNI