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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called a meeting of the parliamentary party on Monday to formally nominate Imran Khan as the candidate for the next prime minister, PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry told reporters on Sunday.
After exhausting talks with allied political parties and successful independent candidates, PTI announced it had achieved the required number to form a government in the center.
The PTI emerged as the single largest party in the July 25 elections, winning 116 seats in the National Assembly out of the contested 270 parliamentary constituencies.
Chaudhry claimed the PTI-led coalition had reached the figure of 174 after political allies and reserved seats pooled in.
Khan, who is all set to become Pakistan’s new prime minister, earlier hinted he would take the oath before the country’s Independence Day on August 14, but no date has officially been announced yet.
Earlier this week, caretaker Minister for Information Ali Zafar said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had assured it would complete all legal formalities by Aug. 11 and the first session of the recently elected National Assembly may be convened by Aug. 14.
It is obligatory to summon the first session of the National Assembly within 21 days of conducting general elections, according to Pakistan’s constitution.
Once the government summons the first session of the parliament, the newly chosen members will first elect the new speaker, deputy speaker and then the leader of the house or the prime minister.
The ECP is in the process of completing legal prerequisites including consolidation of election results and collection of returns from successful candidates regarding expenditure incurred during elections.
The president of Pakistan will summon the first session of the newly elected assembly upon the advice of Caretaker Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk once the ECP concludes all formalities.