In a symbolic gesture, the opposition held a Punjab Assembly session and elected PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz as its chief minister.

PML-N leader and MPA Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan told Geo that at least 200 MPAs were present at the hotel for the session in which they passed a resolution to elect Hamza as the new chief minister.

The group gathered at Faletti's hotel in Lahore after the Punjab government locked the Punjab Assembly.

Along with PML-N leaders, PPP, PTI's Jahangir Khan Tareen and Abdul Aleem Khan groups were also in present as was PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

PML-N secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb posted a video of Maryam getting emotional after Hamza's election. She claimed 199 MPAs voted for Hamza.

Earlier Maryam tweeted a video call with Nawaz Sharif while she and Hamza were en route to the hotel for the session.

The post of Punjab chief minister has been vacant since Usman Buzdar resigned following prime minister Imran Khan's decision to nominate PML-Q's Pervaiz Elahi in the top slot. However, the session to vote in the new chief minister has still not been held.

"These people are playing with the Constitution," Hamza was quoted as saying in a Geo report. "They cannot understand what is happening with them in Punjab and the Centre."

Crisis in Punjab Assembly

Earlier today, the PTI filed a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari while the opposition filed a similar motion against speaker Elahi.

Mazari summoned a session today, instead of April 16, a move slammed by the opposition as well as PML-Q. Elahi withdrew Mazari's powers.

“I did not consult the Punjab government, the PTI or the speaker," Mazari was quoted as telling the media. "I summoned the Assembly session in light of the Supreme Court’s orders."

Elahi ordered the deployment of police outside the assembly to prevent any violence. Pictures emerged of police applying barbed wire on the premises.

The new chief minister will need to gain 186 votes of the 371 Punjab assembly seats. The competition between Hamza and Elahi is expected to be tough and both sides have expressed confidence.