BUREAU REPORT
LAHORE: Early counts from Sunday’s by-elections across Punjab and KP indicate a sweeping advantage for the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), which appears to have secured all six National Assembly seats and seven provincial seats up for grabs, according to provisional results. PTI-supported and independent candidates largely failed to keep pace across the constituencies.
These by-elections were triggered mainly by the disqualification of several PTI legislators convicted in criminal cases linked to the riots of May 9, 2023, which followed the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Polling ran smoothly from 8am to 5pm under strict security arrangements.
Voting took place for National Assembly constituencies:
NA-18 Haripur
NA-96 Faisalabad
NA-104 Faisalabad
NA-129 Lahore
NA-143 Sahiwal
NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan
and for Punjab Assembly seats:
PP-73 Sargodha
PP-87 Mianwali
PP-98 Faisalabad
PP-115 Faisalabad
PP-116 Faisalabad
PP-203 Sahiwal
PP-269 Muzaffargarh
PTI, while having spearheaded the lawmakers who originally won many of these seats, boycotted most of the by-poll races except in Haripur and Lahore. PML-N contested in all constituencies except Muzaffargarh, while the PPP fielded candidates in select races.
Speaking to the media after polling wrapped up, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja praised the peaceful conduct of the vote and thanked both the Punjab and KP administrations for their coordination.
Key Results
NA-129 — Lahore
PML-N’s Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman leads decisively with 63,441 votes, more than double that of independent runner-up Arsalan Ahmed’s 29,099, according to unofficial figures.
Out of 17 candidates, only Nauman and one independent cleared the 10% vote threshold — resulting in forfeiture of deposits for the rest.
This seat was earlier held by former Punjab Governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, who passed away. His nephew, Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmed, was backed by Hammad Azhar in this election.
Faisalabad: A Competitive Battleground
PP-116
PML-N’s Ahmad Shehryar: 48,824
Independent Malik Asghar Ali Qaiser: 11,429
NA-104
PML-N’s Daniyal Ahmad: 52,791
Independent Rana Adnan Javed: 19,262
PP-115
PML-N’s Muhammad Tahir Pervaiz: 49,046
Independent Muhammad Asghar: 1,898
PP-98
PML-N’s Azad Ali Tabassum: 44,388
Independent Muhammad Ajmal: 35,246
NA-96
PML-N’s Muhammad Bilal Badr: 93,009
Independent Nawab Sher Waseer: 43,025
NA-185 — DG Khan
PML-N’s Mehmood Qadir Khan emerged as winner with 82,413 votes, ahead of PPP’s Dost Muhammad Khosa with 49,262.
Turnout reached 32.62%, with 2,172 rejected ballots reported by Form-47. The seat became vacant after Zartaj Gul Wazir’s disqualification.
PP-87 — Mianwali
PML-N’s Ali Haider Noor Khan: 67,986
Independent Muhammad Ayaz Khan: 6,371
This seat previously belonged to disqualified PA opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bachar.
NA-18 — Haripur (KP)
PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan led with 163,996 votes.
Independent Shehrnaz Omar Ayub followed with 120,220.
Nine candidates competed, including PPP’s Erum Fatima.
The seat fell empty after Omar Ayub of PTI was disqualified in a May 9 case.
PP-73 — Sargodha
PML-N’s Sultan Ali Ranjha: 71,770
Independent Mahr Mohsin Raza: 12,970
PP-269 — Muzaffargarh
PPP’s Alamdaar Abbas Qureshi: 55,611
Independent Muhammad Iqbal Khan: 46,510
Qureshi had previously vacated the seat before a recount request could proceed.
PP-203 — Sahiwal
PML-N’s Muhammad Hanif: 46,900
Independent Falak Sher: 10,895
NA-143 — Sahiwal
PML-N’s Muhammad Tufail: 136,223
Independent Zarar Akbar Chaudhry: 13,220
Political Reactions
Commenting on the outcome, PILDAT President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob noted on X that clinching at least five NA seats puts PML-N in a position where it may no longer require coalition support from the PPP to maintain its majority.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Muhammad Tufail on winning the NA-143 by-election, calling it a testament to the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and the organizational strength of the party. He added that the result reflects public support for Maryam Nawaz and the party’s promise of responsive governance.
Read more: https://nayakashmir.com/punjab-by-elections-voting-continues-on-13-key-national-provincial-seats/
