While both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have yet to formally announce their candidates for the slot of new chief executive of Punjab, hectic efforts are being made by both the parties to win the support of 29 independents of Punjab to form their government in the province.
Although, both the PML-N and PTI have established contacts with the independents of Punjab Assembly but no party has been able to get the support of 149 MPAs-elect of the provincial assembly of the Punjab.
From the PML-N side, Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz contacted the independents of the Punjab Assembly to get their support. Shahbaz Sharif himself talked to six independents while Hamza approached around 12 independents and requested for their support for establishing the PML-N government in Punjab, the sources said: "The PML-N is optimistic to get support of desired number of independents."
From the PTI side, Jehangir Khan Tareen, who was disqualified by the Supreme Court, has been able to get support of six independents who are formally announcing to join the PTI.
The PTI is confident to establish its government in Punjab, the sources added. On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) senior leader and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi is also establishing contacts with the independents in a bid to form a separate group of independents.
The PML-Q has been able to get seven PA seats in 2018 general elections and independent member from PP-67 Mandi Bahauddin Sajid Ahmad Khan Bhatti has already joined the PML-Q. Analysts believe that the PTI would go to last extent to form its government in Punjab. They said things would clear within next few days.