Asif Ali Zardari reaches Lahore, to host luncheon for Punjab CM

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has arrived in Lahore where he is likely to stay for two days, citing sources, ARY News reported on Monday.

Sources told ARY News that Asif Ali Zardari will undergo medical examination during his stay in Lahore.

The PPP co-chairman invited Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz to a luncheon today. Hamza Shahbaz will hold a meeting with Zardari at Bilawal House today.

In another development on Monday, ousted prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan decided to do more consultation before finalising candidates for the by-polls in Punjab.

The by-polls would be held on 20 vacant seats in Punjab on July 17.

The meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Parliamentary Board was held with Imran Khan in the chair. The recommendations regarding Punjab by-polls were forwarded in the meeting.

Sources privy to the development said that Imran Khan directed to field strong candidates in the by-polls on the 20 vacant seats in Punjab.

The former prime minister while giving orders for a strong election campaign in the constituencies said that names for the candidates would be finalised in the upcoming two to three days.

After the preliminary decision by the parliamentary board, the final decision of awarding party tickets will be taken by the central leadership of PTI, it emerged.

The final decision regarding awarding party tickets to candidates would be taken by the central leadership of PTI, they added.

The ECP has announced a schedule for election on 20 provincial seats vacated after defecting MPAs of the PTI were de-seated.

The ECP had de-seated 25 dissident Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPAs who voted for PML-N’s Hamza Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab chief minister’s election.