Punjab by-polls: Ayaz Sadiq, Kh Salman Rafique resign

In a major political development on Saturday, senior leaders of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Ayaz Sadiq and MPA Khawaja Salman Rafique have tendered resignations from their ministries.

Khawaja Salman Rafique stepped down from the provincial ministry due to ‘personal reasons. He sent his resignation to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz which was approved.

Moreover, PML-N MNA Ayaz Sadiq also resigned from the ministry as the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs. In a statement, PML-N deputy secretary-general Attaullah Tarar said Sadiq and Salman Rafique submitted their resignations due to upcoming by-polls on the vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly. It is pertinent to mention here that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had de-seated 25 members of the PTI Assembly for voting for Punjab CM Hamza, after which by-elections are going to be held on July 17.