Jubilant Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) workers came out on the roads to celebrate the Supreme Court’s verdict, instating Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as the chief minister of Punjab.
A large number of PML-Q workers were seen celebrating the verdict on Zahoor Elahi Road – the residence of Elahi while scores of elated PTI workers converged on the Liberty Roundabout in Lahore.
On Zahoor Elahi road, the workers were chanting slogans in favour of Parvez Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi but not for PTI Chairman Imran Khan. ‘Kon Kray Ga Rahnumai…Parvez Elahi Parvez Elahi’ were the slogans chanted on Zahoor Elahi road.
Some MPAs of PTI were also present at the residence of Elahi to congratulate him on getting the coveted office of Punjab. Senior PTI leader MPA Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, MPA Waseem Khan Badozai, MPA Sadia Sohail Rana, MPA Ch Shehbaz and MPA Ahsan Saleem Baryar presented sweets and bouquet to Elahi on becoming the CM. Later, Dr Yasmin Rashid also visited Zahoor Elahi road to congratulate the new CM of Punjab.
Meanwhile, a large number of PTI workers reached Liberty roundabout to celebrate the verdict of the apex court that gave Punjab back to Imran Khan in form of Elahi as the new head of the province instead of Buzdar just after three months.
The PTI workers were carrying party flags while chanting slogans in favour of Imran Khan. No PML-Q worker was seen at the Liberty Roundabout as they preferred to remain on Zahoor Elahi road.
Talking to the media, PTI Punjab leader Andleeb Abbas said that we have taken back the Takht-e-Lahore again from Sharifs. It is just due to the tireless efforts of our workers who faced the brutality of police bravely during the long march, she added. “It is just the beginning. The party has just started,” Andleeb said. The workers of PTI also gathered outside the Governor House to witness the moments of the oath-taking ceremony but it didn’t happen and Elahi had to go to Islamabad to take the oath from the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi.
Earlier in the day, Elahi had started asserting his powers although the verdict of the Supreme Court wasn’t announced by that time. He directed the MNAs and MPAs of PTI hailing from DG Khan to start the relief activities for the flood-hitting people of the area. He gave special instructions to MNA Muhammad Khan Leghari and MPAs Saifuddin Khosa and Javed Loond to participate in relief activities in DG Khan. Elahi also directed the Deputy Commissioner of DG Khan and the district administration to come out of their offices and remain active immediately in the field. There is a fear of an outbreak of epidemics after the flood water recedes and therefore the health department’s personnel should also be proactive in the field, Elahi directed the officials even before the judgment of the SC.
