KARACHI: The unofficial results of the by-elections on six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly showed the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz emerging as the front-runner.
The seats became vacant largely due to the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers convicted in cases related to the May 9, 2023, riots following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
The vote, which began at 8am under strict security measures, continued uninterrupted until closing time at 5pm.
By-elections were held in six National Assembly constituencies — NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96 (Faisalabad), NA-104 (Faisalabad), NA-129 (Lahore), NA-143 (Sahiwal) and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan).
By-polls: opposition sees ‘manipulation’ as battle lines drawn
Polling was also held in seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, PP-73 (Sargodha), PP-87 (Mianwali), PP-98 (Faisalabad), PP-115 (Faisalabad), PP-116 (Faisalabad), PP-203 (Sahiwal) and PP-269 (Muzaffargarh).
The Imran Khan-founded party had officially boycotted the by-elections in all constituencies except Lahore and Haripur, while the PML-N fielded its candidates on all seats except in Muzaffargarh, and the PPP contested on two NA and one Punjab seat.
Speaking to journalists following the conclusion of the polls, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said that by-polls were conducted peacefully and thanked the Punjab and KP governments for their cooperation.
NA-129 — Lahore
NA-129 was in focus as PTI and the PML-N faced off.
Unofficial and unconfirmed results from all 334 polling stations of NA-129 Lahore-13 have been compiled.
PML-N’s Hafiz Mian Muhammad Nauman has secured 63,441 votes, placing him in the lead. Independent candidate Arsalan Ahmed is in second place with 29,099 votes, according to the unconfirmed tally.
The seat fell vacant following the death of former Punjab Governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, father of PTI’s Hammad Azhar. Mian Azhar had won the seat in 2024 as a PTI-backed independent before joining the Sunni Ittehad Council.
Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmad, Mian Azhar’s nephew, was nominated by Hammad Azhar, while PML-N’s Hafiz Mian Nauman, who lost to Mian Azhar by over 30,000 votes in 2024, was his main rival.
A total of 17 people were contesting in the constituency including independent candidates.
Faisalabad seats
Faisalabad saw an intense electoral contest on Sunday, with two National Assembly seats — NA-96 and NA-104 — and three provincial constituencies — PP-98, PP-115 and PP-116 — all in play.
PP-116 Faisalabad-19
Unofficial and unconfirmed results from 175 of 190 polling stations show PML-N’s Ahmad Shehryar leading with 45,674 votes. Independent candidate Malik Asghar Ali Qaiser follows with 10,294 votes.
NA-104 Faisalabad-10
According to unofficial, unconfirmed results from 177 of 375 polling stations, PML-N’s Daniyal Ahmed is ahead with 29,338 votes.
Independent contender Rana Adnan Javed is trailing with 8,861 votes.
PP-115 Faisalabad-18
Unofficial, unconfirmed results from 147 of 159 polling stations place PML-N’s Muhammad Tahir Pervaiz in the lead with 35,620 votes.
Independent candidate Muhammad Asghar has so far secured 1,713 votes.
NA-96 Faisalabad-2
From 163 of 345 polling stations, unofficial and unconfirmed results show PML-N’s Muhammad Bilal Badar leading with 83,034 votes.
Independent candidate Nawab Sher Waseer is second with 27,502 votes.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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