25 independent lawmakers join Sharif in Punjab

Islamabad: The strength of election-winning Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) in the assembly of the Punjab province rose yesterday as 25 lawmakers elected as independents joined the party.

PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the newly elected legislators to the fold of the party at a news conference in Lahore.

The PML-N, which secured about 100 general seats in the Punjab assembly in the February 18 elections, enjoys the support of the Pakistan People's Party having 66 legislators in the 371-member provincial legislature.

The independents joining the party raised their hands in affirmation as their names were read out.

Sharif said more independent lawmakers would embrace the PML-N in the next two days, as the party prepares to form the government in the most populous and politically leading province.

The rules allow independents to join a party of their choice, but there is bar on floor-crossing by representatives elected on party tickets.

In Islamabad a forward bloc among members of the Senate from former ruling PML-Q emerged yesterday despite hectic efforts by the leadership of the party that suffered a crushing defeat at the polls to prevent alliances.

A former federal minister, Neelo Bakhtiar, announced the formation of the forward bloc at the Press Club in the capital.

PML-Q still has majority in the indirectly elected upper house of the parliament despite its rout in the February 18 general elections to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.