Former President Asif Ali Zardari called former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif late Thursday. The two leaders discussed the political situation in the aftermath of the Punjab by-election and the upcoming election for a new Chief Minister of Punjab. After Friday prayers, the Punjab Assembly will hold a session to elect the Leader of the House, with Deputy Speaker Dost Mazari in the chair. Parvez Elahi and Hamza Shehbaz are among those on the run. Following a crushing defeat in the Punjab by-elections, the ruling coalition’s top leadership announced its support for PM Shehbaz in his efforts to save his son Hamza Shehbaz’s position as chief minister of Punjab.