LAHORE: Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ayaz Sadiq and Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique have resigned from their respective ministries.

According to people within the PML-N, speaking on the condition of anonymity, Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Salman Rafique have cited ‘personal reasons’ in their resignation. Ayaz Sadiq has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, said a source.

They said that Salman Rafique’s resignation has been accepted by Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, and his office has forwarded the letter to the Punjab governor to confirm the resignation.

Sources said that the PML-N will field Ayaz Sadiq and Salman Rafique during the Punjab by-election campaign. Both the party leaders have resigned to participate in the election campaign, added another source.

By-elections on 20 seats of the Punjab Assembly are scheduled for July 17. The seats fell vacant after the ECP de-seated 25 lawmakers of the PTI for voting against party line. Five of those de-seated were on reserve seats while the remaining 20 seats are contestable.