ISLAMABAD: Hours after the Lahore High Court (LHC) announced a significant decision on the election of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) top leadership and discussed ways and means to handle the situation.
According to the PM Office, PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and former president Asif Ali Zardari called on the prime minister and discussed the current political situation. The meeting was also attended by senior PML-N leaders.
A source in the PPP told Dawn that the LHC verdict was discussed and all participants agreed with the minority view in the decision, i.e. “how the vote of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) dissidents will not be counted in the recount of votes” and that the Constitution has no such provision.
However, PPP expressed full support for Hamza Shehbaz and hoped that he will win again in the re-count.
Mr Zardari, who is said to be a ‘bonding force’ among allies in the ruling coalition, also discussed concerns of coalition partners and urged the PM to address them.
Earlier, the prime minister held separate meetings with the leaders of some allied parties including Khalid Magsi, chief of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Chaudhry Salik Hussain of PML-Q and Aslam Bhootani.