PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has concluded consultations on party candidates for three constituencies in the upcoming by-elections, finalizing key names amid strategic shifts in Lahore, Wazirabad, and Mianwali.
Bilal Tarar to represent PML-N in Wazirabad
According to party sources, PML-N has decided to award its ticket for the Wazirabad constituency to Bilal Tarar, the brother of Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar.
Also Read: By-elections announced for NA-129, NA-66, PP-87 & Senate seat
Lahore: Saad Rafique declines offer
In Lahore, the party leadership had considered fielding senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, but he reportedly declined the offer. Instead, consultations are underway to nominate Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan for the constituency. Sources say Nawaz Sharif intends to bring Rafique into the Senate in the upcoming elections.
Mianwali: Local names under consideration
For Mianwali, PML-N has shortlisted two local candidates. Final discussions are expected to take place in the coming days, with the chosen contender likely to be announced before the Election Commission’s nomination deadline.
Also Read: ECP disqualifies PTI lawmakers Chaudhry, Bhachar and Chattha
On July 29, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued the schedule for by-elections in three key constituencies — NA-129 Lahore, NA-66 Wazirabad, and PP-87 Mianwali — with polling set to take place on September 18.
According to the ECP notification, candidates interested in contesting the by-polls could submit their nomination papers by August 6, while the provisional list of candidates would be published on August 7. The allotment of election symbols was scheduled for August 26, after which official campaigning would begin.
The NA-129 seat in Lahore became vacant following the death of senior PTI politician Mian Azhar. The NA-66 Wazirabad and PP-87 Mianwali constituencies were declared vacant after the disqualification of Ahmed Khan Bhachar, the former leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, and MNA Ahmed Chattha.
