Following the PML-N's thumping defeat at the hands of PTI in the Punjab by-elections, the party’s supremo, Nawaz Sharif, blamed the "difficult decisions" taken by the centre for its failure. According to preliminary and unofficial results, the PTI swept the Punjab by-elections, winning 15 of the 20 seats, while the ruling PML-N lost 14.A bitter defeat, managing to get only four seats.

Sources said that Nawaz said that his party paid the price of "difficult decisions" taken by the coalition government. Sources privy to the development said that the PML-N leader had spoken to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz and discussed the party's future strategy in view of the by-election results. He also directed them to convene an emergency meeting of the party.Earlier, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz took to her Twitter handle, saying that the defeat should be accepted with an open heart after the unofficial results started pouring in, showing the PTI in the lead.

"The PML-N should accept the results of the by-polls with an open heart and concede to the decision of the masses," Maryam wrote. She added that winning and losing were part of politics. Therefore, the party should now focus on its weaknesses, identify them, and then overcome them. "God willing, everything will be fine," she said.

Credit:
Independent News Pakistan-INP