PTI vs PML-N: Who are the candidates contesting in Punjab by-polls?

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

The by-elections in Punjab on July 17 could be a litmus test for both the PTI and the ruling-PML-N to bag Pakistan’s most populous and politically important province.

Imran Khan’s PTI lost its razor-thin majority in the Punjab Assembly in April, after 25 of its lawmakers sided with its rival, the PML-N, in the election for chief minister.

In next month’s by-polls, the PTI is hoping to claw back to power in the province.

On the other side of the ring is the PML-N, which needs a big win to ensure that its newly-appointed chief minister, Hamza Shehbaz, retains his seat of power.

Twenty provincial constituencies are on the ballot after the Election Commission unseated 25 MPAs for voting against party lines. Of the 25, five lawmakers were on reserved seats and 20 on contestable seats.

Political pundits are expecting a tough contest between opponents PML-N and PTI in the by-polls as the majority of the 20 defecting PTI MPAs have hitched their wagons to the PML-N.

It is also important to mention that in the 2018 general elections, of the 20 MPAs who won the polls, 10 contested as independent candidates and later joined the PTI due to the efforts of businessman and politician, Jahangir Khan Tareen.

Who could win?​

Here are some of the factors that go in each party’s favour:

PTI:​

PTI has charged up and motivated voters, who are sold on Imran Khan’s foreign conspiracy narrative. These voters could give a tough time to the PML-N in constituencies that fall in urban areas, by turning up in large numbers on election day.

Strong local candidates like Yasir Khan Jatoi and Mozzam Khan Jatoi in Muzaffargarh or Saif Khosa in DG Khan can give the PTI an edge in five constituencies.

By-elections are being held at a time of uncertainty, when it is unclear if the general election will be held this year or in 2023. This could translate into a lacklustre election campaign by PML-N candidates, who are unsure for how long they will remain MPAs, and this could also mean a low voter turnout.

PML-N:​

Tickets have been awarded to returning candidates, who won in 2018. These electables bring their own vote back.

PML-N is the ruling party and it is highly unlikely for a party in power to lose a by-election.

The PML-N candidates also have the support of the PPP and other PDM parties.

In by-elections, local politics, family standing and influence matter more than party politics.

Of all the by-elections held in Punjab from 2018 to 2021, the PML-N won a majority, even when the PTI was in power. Out of the 29 national and provincial constituencies which were up for grabs in Punjab, the PML-N was successful in 14, while the PTI won 10.

It is also important to mention that in the 2018 general elections, of the 20 MPAs who won the polls, 10 contested as independent candidates and later joined the PTI due to the efforts of businessman and politician, Jahangir Khan Tareen.

Who are the returned candidates and who will they face off against?

Here's all you need to know about the 20 constituencies:

Constituency: PP-7 Rawalpindi​

Winner of 2018 election​

Raja Sagheer Ahmed — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Raja Sagheer Ahmed

Sagheer Ahmed’s father and brother were former members of the district council.

vs

PTI’s candidate: Lt. Col. Shabbir Awan

Awan began his political career with the PPP in 2008, and was elected MPA that year. He joined the PTI in 2011.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-57, where PTI’s Sadaqat Ali Abbasi is MNA.

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Constituency: PP-83 Khushab​

Winner of 2018 election​

Malik Ghulam Rasool Sangha — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Ameer Haider Sangha
Sangha is said to have the support of the PPP and other parties of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
vs

PTI’s candidate: Hasan Aslam Awan

He is Umer Aslam’s younger brother.

Interestingly, two hopefuls of the PTI ticket, Malik Asif Bha and Muhammad Tiwana, are contesting independently after being refused tickets by the PTI.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-93, where PTI’s Umer Aslam Awan is MNA.

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Constituency: PP-90 Bhakkar​

Winner of 2018 election​

Saeed Akbar Khan Niwani — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Saeed Akbar Khan Niwani
vs
PTI’s candidate: Irfanullah Niazi

He is a former general secretary of the PML-N Bhakkar. In 2018, Niazi contested the election on a PML-N ticket but lost. Niazi joined the PTI this month.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-97, where PTI’s Sana Ullah Khan Masti Khel is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-97 Faisalabad​

Winner of 2018 election​

Muhammad Ajmal Cheema — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Muhammad Ajmal Cheema

Cheema is a former provincial minister in Punjab.

vs

PTI’s candidate: Ali Afzal Sahi

Sahi is the son of the former speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-101, where PTI’s Muhammad Asim Nazeer is MNA.

As per local sources, PTI and PML-N party workers are upset with Cheema for consistently changing parties, which could dent his vote bank.

Constituency: PP-125 Jhang​

Winner of 2018 election​

Faisal Hayat Jabboana — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Faisal Hayat Jabboana
vs
PTI’s candidate: Mian Muhammad Azam Cheela

PTI has awarded the ticket to Azam Cheela, who was also the party’s candidate in 2018, but lost to Jabboana.

vs

Independent candidate: Iftikhar Ahmed Baloch

A third strong candidate in the running is Iftikhar Ahmed Baloch, a former MPA of PML-N, who was not awarded a ticket by the PML-N, so he is contesting independently.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-114, where PTI’s Sahabzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-127 Jhang​

Winner of 2018 election​

Mehar Muhammad Aslam Bharwana — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Mehar Muhammad Aslam Bharwana
vs

PTI’s candidate: Muhammad Nawaz Bharwana

The PTI has awarded the ticket to the same person it fielded in 2018. However, it is important to note that Nawaz Bharwana joined PTI only a few months before the July 2018 general polls.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-115, where PTI’s Ghulam Bibi Bharwana is MNA.

Constituency: PP-140 Sheikhupura​

Winner of 2018 election​

Mian Khalid Mehmood — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Mian Khalid Mehmood

Mehmood was in PML-Q in 2002, on whose platform he won the seat of MPA for the first time. In 2018, he contested on a PTI ticket and won.
vs

PTI’s candidate: Khurram Virk

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-121, where PML-N’s Javed Latif is MNA.

In 2018, in this constituency, PML-N came second and TLP came third.

---

Constituency: PP-158 Lahore​

Winner of 2018 election​

Abdul Aleem Khan — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Sohaib Siddiqui (not finalised)
vs
PTI’s candidate: Mian Akram Usman

Usman is the son of former MNA Mian Usman and son-in-law of PTI’s Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-129, where PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq is MNA.
Aleem Khan will not contest the by-election and will instead support the PML-N candidate.

---

Constituency: PP-167 Lahore​

Winner of 2018 election​

Nazir Ahmed Chohan — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Nazir Ahmed Chohan

Chohan was with PML-Q in 2002 and joined the PTI in 2012.
vs
PTI’s candidate: Shabbir Gujjar

Gujjar is brother of PTI’s ticket holder in 2018, Khalid Gujjar.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-133, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-168 Lahore​

Winner of 2018 election​

Malik Asad Ali Khokhar — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Malik Asad Ali Khokhar

Khokhar ran in the race for NA-136 as a PTI candidate in 2018 but lost. When PML-N’s Saad Rafique gave up PP-168, to retain his national constituency, Khokhar contested the by-elections for PP-168 and won.
vs

PTI’s candidate: Malik Nawaz Awan

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-133 and NA-131, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik and PML-N’s Saad Rafique are MNAs respectively.

Malik will support Khokhar in the by-polls.

---

Constituency: PP-170 Lahore​

Winner of 2018 election​

Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain

Zulqarnain is Awn Chaudhry’s brother. He started his political career in 2005 from the platform of PML-Q.
vs

PTI’s candidate: Zaheer Abbas Khokhar

Khokhar is a former MNA and former managing director Bait-ul-Maal.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-134, where PML-N’s Rana Mubashir Iqbal is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-202 Sahiwal​

Winner of 2018 election​

Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial
Langrial joined the PTI in 2017.
vs

PTI’s candidate: Major (retired) Ghulam Sarwar

PTI’s candidate Sarwar started his political career with Jamaat-e-Islami.
vs
Independent candidate: Adil Saeed Gujjar

He is the son of a former lawmaker, who was hoping for a PTI ticket but was not awarded one. He is in the race as an independent.

Constituency profile

The constituency falls under NA-149, where PTI’s Murtaza Iqbal is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-217 Multan​

Winner of 2018 election​

Muhammad Salman Naeem — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Muhammad Salman Naeem

Naeem will have the support of both the PPP and other PDM parties.

In 2018, Naeem beat Shah Mehmood Qureshi in this provincial seat and became an MPA for the first time.
vs

PTI’s candidate: Zain Qureshi

He is the son of Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-156, where PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi is MNA.

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Constituency: PP-224 Lodhran​

Winner of 2018 election​

Zawar Hussain Warraich — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Zawar Hussain Warraich

Warraich is considered close to Jahangir Tareen.
vs

PTI’s candidate: Amir Iqbal Shah

Shah was a PML-N ticket holder in 2018 and is now PTI’s candidate.

In 2017, Shah’s father defeated the son of Tareen, who was the PTI candidate in the by-election for NA-154.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-160, where PML-N’s Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-228 Lodhran​

Winner of 2018 election​

Nazir Ahmed Baloch — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Nazir Ahmed Baloch

Baloch enjoys the support of the PPP and the PDM.
vs
PTI’s candidate: Captain retired Javed Khan

Khan has been with the PTI since 2013 and was previously part of the Tareen group.

vs

Independent candidate: Saeed Rafi Bukhari

A third strong contender is Saeed Rafi Bukhari, who is contesting independently.

Constituency profile

The constituency falls under NA-161, where PTI’s Mian Muhammad Shafiq is MNA.

---

Constituency: PP-237 Bahawalnagar​

Winner of 2018 election​

Fida Hussain — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Fida Hussain

Hussain is considered to be a strong candidate, as he has been elected MPA thrice in a row.
vs
PTI’s candidate: Aftab Mehmood (not finalised)

PTI’s Mehmood is contesting for the first time.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-166, where PTI’s Muhammad Abdul Ghafar Wattoo is MNA.

Constituency: PP-272 Muzaffargarh​

Winner of 2018 election​

Zahra Batool — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Zehra Basit Bukhari

Zehra Bukhari is the wife of PTI MNA Basit Sultan Bukhari.

Bukhari’s brother is also in the running as an independent candidate
vs

PTI’s candidate: Mozzam Khan Jatoi

Jatoi is a former minister and MNA.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-185, where PTI’s Basit Bukhari is MNA.

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Constituency: PP-273 Muzaffargarh​

Winner of 2018 election​

Muhammad Sibtain Raza — won the constituency as a PTI candidate

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Muhammad Sibtain Raza
vs
PTI’s candidate: Yasir Khan Jatoi

In the past, Jatoi has been elected an MPA from the PPP platform. His brother and father, both, were members of the parliament.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-183, where PPP’s Raza Rabbani Khar is MNA.

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Constituency: PP-282 Layyah​

Winner of 2018 election​

Muhammad Tahir Randhawa — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Muhammad Tahir Randhawa

Randhawa’s brother was union council chairman in 2005.
vs
PTI’s candidate: Qaiser Abbas Magsi

Magsi contested the 2008 and 2013 elections on a PML-N ticket and won as MPA. He joined the PTI in 2018 just before the election.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-188, where PTI’s Niaz Ahmed Jakhar is MNA.

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Constituency: PP-288 Dera Ghazi Khan​

Winner of 2018 election​

Mohsin Atta Khan Khosa — won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI

Candidates fielded in 2022​

PML-N’s candidate: Abdul Qadir Khosa

He is the son of PTI MNA Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa.
vs
PTI’s candidate: Saif Khosa

He is the son of the former governor Punjab Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa.

Constituency profile​

The constituency falls under NA-190, where PTI’s Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa is MNA.

To view the images of all contesting candidates please follow the link below.

PTI vs PML-N: Who are the candidates contesting in Punjab by-polls?

In next month’s by-polls, PTI is hoping to claw back to power in the province; on other side of ring is PML-N, which needs a big win

www.geo.tv

 

[Imran Khan]

results will be as per GHQ no benefit of vote and waste time

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

results will be as per GHQ no benefit of vote and waste time

How come?

 

[Imran Khan]

How come?

as always since last 74 years this is how elections happen here

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

as always since last 74 years this is how elections happen here

So when PDM was crying to the sky that the 2018 elections were manipulated heavily in favour of IK, everyone here laughed at it. Slowly but surely the ground realities are seeping in here.
Saying that even when the Establishment was biased towards the opposition of that time, they still managed to win a majority of the bye polls in Punjab.
Whether one likes it or not PMLN as a party has more popularity in the Punjab heartlands, similar to PTI in KPK and PPP in Sindh.

 

[shayyman]

We will see another repeat of April 10. Entire system will once again break all laws and norms and steal the elections completely for PMLN. SC will look the other way. ECP will be party to it. Patwaris will get heart attacks with pleasure.

Even if no one votes for PMLN, election will be given to them.

 

[Imran Khan]

So when PDM was crying to the sky that the 2018 elections were manipulated heavily in favour of IK, everyone here laughed at it. Slowly but surely the ground realities are seeping in here.
Saying that even when the Establishment was biased towards the opposition of that time, they still managed to win a majority of the bye polls in Punjab.
Whether one likes it or not PMLN as a party has more popularity in the Punjab heartlands, similar to PTI in KPK and PPP in Sindh.

its very clear no one can win elections here without GHQ not even QAID E AZAM himself

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

its very clear no one can win elections here without GHQ

Not entirely, establishment has leverages like a pool of electables, media management and persuading the local biradaries. The last time the ECP RTS was manipulated as well.
All of the above constitute a violation of the constitution and mount to high treason. If some individual conducts such activities he not only violates his oath but also paves way for invoking article 6.
Our partial judiciary needs some b..lls like Faiz Esa to put a stop to such activities.

 

[Norwegian]

So when PDM was crying to the sky that the 2018 elections were manipulated heavily in favour of IK, everyone here laughed at it. Slowly but surely the ground realities are seeping in here.
Saying that even when the Establishment was biased towards the opposition of that time, they still managed to win a majority of the bye polls in Punjab.
Whether one likes it or not PMLN as a party has more popularity in the Punjab heartlands, similar to PTI in KPK and PPP in Sindh.

 

[Imran Khan]

Not entirely, establishment has leverages like a pool of electables, media management and persuading the local biradaries. The last time the ECP RTS was manipulated as well.
All of the above constitute a violation of the constitution and mount to high treason. If some individual conducts such activities he not only violates his oath but also paves way for invoking article 6.
Our partial judiciary needs some b..lls like Faiz Esa to put a stop to such activities.

My friend do you remember what they did to fatima jinnah . They can do it with qaid e azam too.its simple there were no elections ever.

 

[Norwegian]

Not entirely, establishment has leverages like a pool of electables, media management and persuading the local biradaries. The last time the ECP RTS was manipulated as well.
All of the above constitute a violation of the constitution and mount to high treason. If some individual conducts such activities he not only violates his oath but also paves way for invoking article 6.
Our partial judiciary needs some b..lls like Faiz Esa to put a stop to such activities.

Judiciary is part of military establishment mafia so they won't do shit

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

My friend do you remember what they did to farima jinnah . They can do it with qaid e azam too.its simple there were no elections ever.

There is a much bigger list, I hope they remain within their constitutional domain.
The entire nation wants to see exemplary punishments for the roque elements.
The late CJ Waqar Seth who died in mysterious circumstances ordered Mushy to be hanged(dead or alive) for three days.

‘Drag His Body To Islamabad, Hang For 3 Days If…’: Pakistan Court’s Order On Pervez Musharraf

The 167-page detailed judgement was authored by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, who headed the three-member court that sentenced Pervez Musharraf to death on Tuesday for subverting the Constitution.

www.outlookindia.com

 

[Norwegian]

The late CJ Waqar Seth who died in mysterious circumstances ordered Mushy to be hanged(dead or alive) for three days.

Late CJ Arshad Malik who punished your Mian Mafroor in a corruption case also died under mysterious circumstances

 

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

Late CJ Arshad Malik who punished your Mian Mafroor in a corruption case also died under mysterious circumstances

Totally agree, he was also coerced, manipulated and blackmailed by the one and only to produce the desired verdict. When he blew the plot that was the end of him.
There are dozens of people that were against the EST and died mysteriously like the great Asma Jahangir.

 

[Norwegian]

The late CJ Waqar Seth who died in mysterious circumstances ordered Mushy to be hanged(dead or alive) for three days.

Late CJ Arshad Malik who punished your Mian Mafroor in a corruption case also died under mysterious circumstances

Totally agree, he was also coerced, manipulated and blackmailed by the one and only to produce the desired verdict. When he blew the plot that was the end of him.
There are dozens of people that were against the EST and died mysteriously like the great Asma Jahangir.

True. Many innocent people who were part of Sharif mafia corruption cases suffered mysterious deaths too. Establishment mafia and your favorite Sharif mafia are two sides of the same coin...