Despite the defeat in the by-elections of Punjab, the coalition parties have decided to stick to their guns and not relent to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s demand to dissolve assemblies while all efforts would be undertaken to ensure Hamza Shehbaz stays on as Punjab chief minister.

The decisions were taken during a consultative meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in Lahore. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting which was attended by heads of allied parties incuding JUI-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari.

Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, who holds the portfolios of aviation and railways, reiterated the decision in a press conference in Lahore. He said that the federal government would complete its term.

PTI chief Imran Khan has constantly demanded that the government announce a date for early elections.

“By-elections in Punjab are not a measure of popularity or unpopularity of any party,” Rafique said while speaking alongside PDM leaders.

He said that the PML-N had returned unsuccessful on all 20 seats during the general elections in 2018. “Now, the PML-N and its allies have won five seats while our votes increased by 39 per cent.”

The PML-N leader reiterated PM Shehbaz’s demand urging the Election Commission to decide the prohibited funding case against Imran Khan.

“Imran Khan is spending tens of millions on social media. The source of the money needs to be traced,” he said.