Lahore, Pakistan, 16 Apr. 2022 (Daily Dawn)

Hamza Shebaz Elected Punjab Chief Minister  in Provincial Assembly Session Marred By Melees, Chaos

PML-N's Hamza Shehbaz has been elected the new chief minister of Punjab following a chaotic session at the provincial assembly that saw Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari attacked and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi get injured.

Hamza garnered 197 votes to beat Elahi — his rival, whose party PML-Q and ally PTI boycotted the election that began after more than five hours of delay following a number of altercations and melees on the floor of the House throughout the day.

Announcing the results of the election, the deputy speaker said the day represented a "success of democracy" and lauded the "positive role" of the MPAs who took part in the voting despite today's events.

In his maiden speech as the chief minister of the province, Hamza said his victory belonged to every lawmaker still seated in the assembly and thanked his allies for their support.

He said he would not "pursue revenge" and would instead work to serve the people and benefit them — terming it as the "best [form of] revenge".

The newly elected chief minister said he would make price committees functional and that dialysis machines lying useless in hospitals would be repaired. He said a modern local government system would also be introduced in Punjab.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz congratulated her cousin on winning the election. "Brothers and sisters of Punjab, the mandate that was stolen from you during the 2018 election has been returned to you once more," she declared, adding that the people would get their due rights.