LAHORE . (July 12,2022) Ahead of crucial by -elections in the Punjab, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has resigned as provincial minister.
According to resignation submitted by Sardar Awais on July 11, 2022 , he has resigned as member of Punjab cabinet on personal reasons.
Whatever the reason may be , resignations in Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and that too when do or die by-elections are around in Punjab is an unexpected development .
Prior to Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Salman Rafiq again a very important member of Hamza Shahbaz”s cabinet had resigned as Health minister. In a related development , Ayaz Sadiq had also resigned as a federal minister a few days ago on the similar grounds.
The PMLN had issued a statement linking resignations of Ayaz Sadiq and Salman Rafiq to July 17 by-elections. The party statement noted that both leaders (Ayaz Sadiq and Salman Rafiq) had resigned to take part in by-election campaign and they will again join their cabinets after by -polls.
But no party statement has come in the case of Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari. It’s not clear so for if Mr Leghari has also resigned for taking part in by -polls elections or he left Hamza’s cabinet permanently .
Punjab is witnessing a very crucial by –elections on its 20 seats that fell vacant due to floor crossing of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf !PTI) members Punjab assembly for voting to Hamza Shahbaz in violation of party line in controversial elections of chief minister Punjab held on April 10, 2022.
The court had disqualified those 20 PTI members Punjab assembly and ordered re-elections in the constituencies from where these members had won in 2018 general elections.
Since difference between the ruling alliance in Punjab and opposition is of a few seats, the outcome of upcoming by-elections will decide who will be the ruler of Punjab both the alliances are putting their best efforts to win these do or die by-elections of Punjab
PTI chairman , Imran Khan is campaigning for his party himself and addressing in each constituency to win by elections on July 17 .and for ruling alliance , PMLN vice president , Maryam Nawaz , is spearheading campaign to bag maximum seats and save Hamza Shahbaz government in Punjab.
July 17 by elections of Punjab are also very important as they will set a stage for next general elections to be held in 2023.
