The result of the Punjab by-elections has come as a shock for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its supporters while it has proved to be a ray of light for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) future in upcoming elections.
According to the results (as of now), PML-N managed to win only four seats in its popular province. PTI swept the by-elections by bagging almost 75 per cent of Punjab constituencies (15 seats) and one independent candidate won the seat.
It is pertinent to mention that before the by-polls, PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) jointly had the strength of 173 members. Now, with 15 additional seats, the parties have achieved 188 seats in Punjab Assembly (PA) whereas they only needed 186. One independent MPA who has won is likely to be a part of the new ruling coalition.
On the contrary, the current ruling coalition (PML-N, PPP and others) has 179 members.
Two MPAs of PML-N including Mian Jaleel Sharaqpuri and Faisal Niazi had resigned so their seats are vacant. MPA Chaudhry Nisar is unlikely to vote for any of the candidates
Great voter turnout
In this election, a great voter turnout has been noted.
In Sahiwal, the voter turnout was almost 56 per cent. While in Khushab, the turnout was 47.84 per cent.
In the largest city of Punjab, the lowest turnout was recorded while the highest turnout was in Bakkhar where PTI’s Irfan Ullah Niazi won.
Voters turnout in almost all the constituencies remained over 40% and 50%, with the highest in Bhakkar with over 65% and lowest in constituencies of Lahore. #ByElection2022
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept the Punjab by-elections held on July 17 by bagging a total of 15 out of 20 Punjab Assembly seats while the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) only managed to win four seats. An independent candidate won one seat. The unexpected and sweeping victory of PTI in the all-important Punjab by-polls is set to influence the political as well as economic future of the country. The outcome of the by-elections has not just sealed the fate of Hamza Shehbaz’s government in Punjab but also sent alarm bells ringing for Shehbaz Sharif’s federal government.
The million dollar question is, what happened in Punjab that the kaptaan was able to pull this off in the heart of PML-N? PTI Chairman Imran Khan led a vigorous campaign against those who had ditched the party during the first poll for the chief minister on April 16 and voted for Hamza. Even the PML-N’s voters did not vote for the ‘lotas’ or turncoats. Khan continuously targeted the ‘neutrals’ for not siding with him in foiling the so-called ‘conspiracy’ the PML-N, PPP, and other parties had allegedly hatched “with the help of the United States” to oust him from power. That his foreign conspiracy mantra sold like hot cakes shows that Pakistanis love conspiracy theories.
The Punjab by-elections have brought to the limelight further questions: what is next for the PML-N? The ruling PML-N really needs to ‘introspect’ its shortcomings and need to go back to the drawing board and check every possible situation that led the party to its failure in Punjab. Was the vote of no-confidence the right move? Was the PML-N really thinking that a father-son duo as prime minister and the chief minister can turn out to be successful? At present, the most important question is, when is Nawaz Sharif coming back? The party has faced a lot of damage in his absence. Within the PML-N, a lot of people are of the view that Hamza should accept defeat and immediately resign as chief minister, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should call the next general elections as soon as possible. What the PML-N will do next can shape the future of Pakistan. Will Shehbaz Sharif announce the general elections or stick to power? Will a caretaker government be formed that can also take care of the economy for three months given how crucial the IMF deal is?
Whatever happens, Pakistan is in need of massive reforms. With the pertaining economic crisis and inflation, major political, as well as economic stability, is required. The country needs stability more than ever.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-seated 25 dissident members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in May. Out of these, five seats were reserved. Later, ECP notified PTI members on all five reserved seats while there will be by-elections on the rest of the 20 seats today (Sunday, July 17).
Why is it important?
The results of the by-elections will decide the fate of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz as the Supreme Court ordered a run-off poll for CM Punjab on July 22, five days after the by-polls are held. The magic number required to be the Punjab CM is 186.
Four Lahore Constituencies:
There are a total of four constituencies in Lahore.
1- PP-158
In PP-158, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Rana Ahsan Sharafat will contest against PTI’s Mian Akram Usman. The constituency falls under NA-129, where PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq is a Member of the National Assembly (MNA). PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s former close aide Aleem Khan won the constituency as a PTI candidate in 2018 but in these elections, he will not contest and will instead support the PML-N candidate.
In PP-167, PML-N’s Nazir Chohan will contest against PTI’s Shabbir Gujjar. In 2018, Chohan won the constituency as a PTI candidate. The constituency falls under NA-133, where PML-N’s Shaista Pervaiz Malik is MNA.
Areas: Mainly Johar Town
3- PP-168
In PP-168, PML-N’s Malik Asad Ali Khokhar will be against PTI’s Malik Nawaz Awan. In the 2018 general elections, Khokhar won from this constituency. 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.
Areas: Walton, Cavalry, Kot Lakhpat, Kainchi
4- PP-170
In PP-170, it will be PML-N’s Muhammad Amin Zulqarnain versus PTI’s Zaheer Abbas Khokhar. Previously, in 2018, Zulqarnain won this constituency as a PTI candidate. The constituency falls under NA-134, where PML-N’s Rana Mubashir Iqbal is MNA.
Areas: Wapda Town, Valencia, Township, and some rural areas of Lahore
Who will win Lahore?
Talking to The Current, senior journalist Majid Nizami said that the PTI claims that it will win three seats out of the four in Lahore in the upcoming Punjab by-polls. They think that the PML-N will win PP-168. Similarly, the PML-N also claims that it will win three out of four seats in Lahore. They think that PTI will win PP-170. According to Nizami, it is quite likely that both parties will win two seats each. From PML-N, Khokhar in PP-168 and Nazir Chohan from PP-167 are the strong candidates. From PTI, Mian Akram Usman from PP-158 and Zaheer Abbas Khokhar from PP-170 are likely to give a tough time to their competitors.
5- Multan: PP-217
In Multan, PML-N’s Salman Naeem is standing against former Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son Zain Hussain Qureshi. The constituency was previously won by Naeem in 2018 when he defeated Shah Mahmood and became a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).
According to Majid Nizami, Naeem is likely to become MPA again this time.
6- Sahiwal: PP-202
Three candidates are contesting against each other in PP-202. From PML-N, there is Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial who is fighting against PTI’s Major Ghulam Sarwar and Independent Candidate Adil Saeed Gujjar. The constituency falls under NA-149, where PTI’s Murtaza Iqbal is MNA. PTI has a chance of winning this seat.
Areas: Chichawatni Tehsil
7- Bahawalnagar: PP-237
Under this constituency, there are two candidates. PML-N’s Fida Hussain Wattoo will fight PTI’s Syed Aftab Raza, who is contesting for the first time. It is pertinent to mention that Wattoo earlier won this constituency in 2018 as an independent candidate. He later joined the PTI. Despite the fact that in the past Wattoo was elected MPA thrice in a row, Majid Nizami says that there is going to be a tough competition between these two.
Areas: Minchinabad
8- Lodhran: PP-224
PTI’s Amir Iqbal Shah will contest against PML-N’s Zawar Hussain Warraich, who won the constituency in the 2018 general elections. Zawar is also considered close to Jahangir Tareen. This seat is likely to fall in the hands of the PTI.
Areas: Dunyapur
9- Lodhran: PP-228
PML-N’s Nazir Ahmed Baloch, PTI’s Captain Retired Izzat Javed Khan and Independent Candidate Pir Syed Rafi Bukhari are contesting. Baloch already won the constituency in 2018. The constituency falls under NA-161, where PTI’s Mian Muhammad Shafiq is MNA. Reports indicate that the PTI is in a tight position here. The tough competition will take place between Pir Syed and Baloch.
Areas: Rajapur
10- Rawalpindi: PP-7
PML-N’s Raja Sagheer Ahmed who won the constituency in the 2018 elections is going to fight against PTI’s Lt. Col. Shabbir Awan. The constituency falls under NA-57, where PTI’s Sadaqat Ali Abbasi is MNA. In this constituency, the PML-N is ahead of PTI.
Areas: Kahuta and Kallar Syedan
11- DG Khan: PP-288
The son of PTI MNA Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa, Abdul Qadir Khosa, is contesting on the ticket of the PML-N. He will be against PTI’s Saif-ud-din-Khosa who is ahead in the race.
Areas: Tehsil DG Khan, Shah sadar din and Ghaus Abad.
12- Khushab: PP-83
In PP-83, PML-N’s Ameer Haider Sangha is going to lock horns with PTI’s Hasan Aslam Awan and Independent candidate Malik Asif Bha. In this constituency, there is going to be a three-way fight.
Areas: Jauharabad, Khushab city and Hadali
13- Layyah: PP-282
Tahir Randhawa, on a PML-N ticket, is now fighting against PTI candidate Qaiser Abbas Magsi. Magsi contested the 2008 and 2013 elections on a PML-N ticket and won as MPA. Despite this, Randhawa is ahead of Magsi.
Areas: Chowk Azam and Chaubara Tehsil
14- Muzaffargarh: PP-272
Syeda Zehra Bukhari will be against PTI’s Moazzam Khan Jatoi. Zehra is the wife of PTI MNA Basit Sultan Bukhari and she won in 2018 from this constituency. Meanwhile, Jatoi is a former minister and MNA. Syeda Zehra has a stronghold.
Areas: Shaher Sultan
15- Muzaffargarh: PP-273
PML-N’s Muhammad Sibtain Raza is going to be up against PTI’s Yasir Arfat Jatoi. Raza won the constituency as a PTI candidate in the previous elections. However, this time Jatoi is likely to become MPA.
Areas: Ali pur Tehsil
16- Bhakkar: PP-90
PML-N’s Saeed Akhbar Khan Nawani will fight against PTI’s Irfan Ullah Khan Niazi who just joined the party. Nawani won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. Here, Nawani is said to be ahead of Niazi.
Areas: Darya Khan Tehsil
17- Faisalabad: PP-97
The former Provincial Minister in Punjab, PML-N’s Ajmal Cheema is up against PTI’s Ali Afzal Sahi in Faisalabad. Although, Cheema won the constituency in 2018, Sahi is likely to win this seat. Sahi is the son of the former speaker of the Punjab Assembly Muhammad Afzal Sahi.
Areas: Chak Jhumra Tehsil
18- Jhang: PP-125
PML-N’s Faisal Hayat Jabboana will be competing against PTI’s Mian M. Azam Cheela and Independent candidate Iftikhar Ahmad Khan Baloch. Jabboana won as an independent in 2018 and later joined the PTI. PML-N candidate is likely to leave his contenders behind.
Areas: Athara Hazari Tehsil
19- Jhang: PP-127
In PP-127, PML-N Mehr Aslam Bharwana is going to fight against M. Nawaz Bhawarana. In 2018, Aslam Bharwana won as an independent candidate. There is going to be a tough competition between the two.
Areas: Jhang Tehsil
20- Sheikhupura: PP-140
PTI’s Khurram Virk is going to fight against Mian Khalid Mehmood who won the MPA seat from this constituency in 2018. The constituency falls under NA-121, where PML-N’s Javed Latif is MNA. However, Virk is likely to win this seat. It is pertinent to mention that according to Majid Nizami, a TLP candidate is also contesting against these two and has a pretty strong position.
Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Saturday asked the establishment to stay away from the by-elections in Punjab that are being held on Sunday, July 17.
“Today I want to say something very important to the establishment. Tomorrow is a very important day. I have never witnessed such an election ever in Pakistan’s history,” said Sheikh Rasheed in a video message.
“I wish to request them to stay away from the elections. The nation will not tolerate any kind of rigging or bullying. You have to prove in tomorrow’s elections that you are impartial,” he added.
“If its path is blocked, this country will witness an inferno that will engulf everyone. This is why tomorrow is a test for Pakistan’s political stability,” Rasheed said.
“The people must be granted the right to [elect their own leaders] and no one must interfere.”
لگتا ہے کہ گیٹ نمبر چار پہ پکا تالا لگا دیا گیا ہے۔ جبھی تو شیخ صاحب ایسٹبلشمنٹ کو تڑیاں لگا رہے ہیں۔ گیٹ کو عزت دو pic.twitter.com/CDPzPC7n5V
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned Sindh of another monsoon spell this week from Thursday (July 14) till Monday (July 18). It is also said that sea conditions will also remain “rough to very rough” during this timeframe.
The Met department also said that torrential rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities. It has also advised that travellers and tourists remain cautious during the forecast period.
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman shared a rain update on her Twitter, saying: “Sindh and Balochistan still under heavy monsoon pressure for the last 13 days. Sindh is 625 per cent above the 30-year average while Balochistan is 501.”
Sindh & Balochistan still under heavy monsoon pressure for the last 13 days. Sindh is 625 % above the 30 year average,Balochistan 501. @pmdgov reports a further rise in heavy rainfall starting tomorrow. Again the weather cycle will focus on Sindh,Balochistan for hi precipitation pic.twitter.com/LzXsSvhB6d
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has claimed that rainwater from 90 per cent of the city has been drained out and roads have been cleared.
Meanwhile, K-Electric spokesperson Imran Rana tweeted, “Wherever possible power has been restored, however, few parts of DHA remain severely water logged like Bukhari Commercial seen below (as of 10:00 PM 12th July). Power in inundated areas expected to be restored once water recedes to safe operating levels.”
Wherever possible power has been restored however few parts of DHA remain severely water logged like Bukhari Commercial seen below (as of 10:00 PM 12th July). Power in inundated areas expected to be restored once water recedes to safe operating levels. pic.twitter.com/APgcRioam9
— Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric (@imranrana21) July 12, 2022
On Sunday, the Sindh government imposed a rain emergency in Karachi after severe rain. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa took an aerial view of Karachi on Tuesday to oversee the catastrophic situation.
The Pakistan Navy is also taking part in the relief and rescue operations.
Destruction
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Sindh Police, 49 people have died in the province, 31 in Karachi alone, in the monsoon spell from July 4 to July 12.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), at least six people were killed in Swabi, Mardan, South Waziristan and Bajaur districts. The rains also damaged the crops and infrastructure. Swabi, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Nowshera and Malakand were the worst affected.
Same situations in District Karak of KP. Rainwater seeped into homes, streets and shops as heavy monsoon rains wreaked havoc in several areas of Takht-e-Nasrati in Karak. People were forced to move out in the open due to water entering their houses and damaging everything inside. https://t.co/TPsflkefUDpic.twitter.com/P0vIiitYkC
The entire village (Jhanda Gaown) was destroyed due to rains in Swabi. So far no relief has been provided by the KP government.#KPKRainspic.twitter.com/s2IcLsSflQ
Six people died and dozens of houses collapsed throughout over Eid across Balochistan. Many areas across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) were cut off from each other after roads, bridges, electricity supply and properties were damaged due to the melting glaciers.
On Monday, a 20-year-old pizza delivery boy was allegedly raped in Islamabad.
The boy had gone to the Sharifabad area in the capital to deliver pizza where he was raped by a man. The suspect has been identified as Ahmed Gogi.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered by the police and the ICT Director-General of Police (Operations) Suhail Zafar Chattha has directed the officials to arrest the suspect as soon as possible.
It is pertinent to mention that this is the second case of sexual violence reported in Islamabad within the last two months. In June, a woman alleged that she was raped by her security guard in her own house.
Two minor girls were allegedly raped in separate incidents in Rawalpindi areas, Naseerabad and Kallar Syedan. One of them is a seven-year-old girl.
The seven-year-old girl was playing with her brother on the rooftop of her house when a neighbour took her to his house where he raped her, the survivor’s father told the police.
According to the Investigating Officer (IO), after the incident, the girl was taken to the hospital where her condition worsened as a result of trauma.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered and the search for the suspect is underway.
In the second incident, a young girl was allegedly raped by a member of her own family who had come to stay at her house. Following the incident, her mother informed the police and a case was registered.
Former Prime Minister (PM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi’s brother Ahmed Mujtaba has been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab over his alleged involvement in a corruption case, reports Geo News.
The former first lady’s brother illegally occupied government land in Depalpur, which is in Okara District. He is accused of “illegally leasing government land earmarked for a market and seizing government land through the chairman of market committee Tahir Zahoor”. Later, he had shops constructed there.
ACE has asked Mujtaba, secretary Tahir Tanveer and eight others to appear before the Sahiwal office of the anti-corruption department on July 6 (tomorrow).
The investigation has been opened following Bushra Bibi’s audio leak in which she directed PTI digital media head Dr Arslan Khalid to accuse the former Opposition parties of “treason”.
A woman who went to Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology for a check-up has been allegedly raped by a security guard, reportedGeo News.
According to the police, the woman is married. In her complaint to the police, she said that she went to the hospital for a check-up where the security guard told her that the doctor is not present and took her to a separate room in the hospital and allegedly raped her there.
Following the incident, the police registered the case on the woman’s complaint and started an investigation. The accused is still missing and efforts to arrest him are underway.
Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz took notice of the incident. He sought a report from the Inspector General of Police (IG) Punjab and directed that strict action should be taken against the accused and justice should be ensured.
The Current records the tally of rape cases that are reported in news outlets on a daily basis to highlight the alarming situation. We have used many different sources as listed. When will it stop?
Unidentified men reportedly attacked senior columnist and analyst Ayaz Amir and his driver in Lahore on Friday.
Amir was leaving the office of Dunya News located at Lahore’s Abbott Road when unidentified men attacked him. The assailants also snatched his wallet and mobile phone.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and asked Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz to hold a high-level investigation.
I strongly condemn the attack on senior journalist/analyst Ayaz Amir. Such attacks on media persons are totally unacceptable in a democratic society. On my directions, Punjab Chief Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the sad incident to bring perpetrators to justice.
CM Punjab ordered that the attackers should be arrested at the earliest. He condemned the attack on Ayaz Amir.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the attack in “strongest terms”.
I condemn in strongest terms the violence against senior journalist Ayaz Amir today in Lahore. Pak descending into the worst kind of fascism with violence & fake FIRs against journalists,opp politicians, citizens.When the State loses all moral authority it resorts to violence.
The incident occurred a day after Ayaz Amir’s strongly-worded speech delivered at a seminar in Islamabad, where he had criticised the policies of former premier Imran Khan, accusing him of facilitating the realtors and property tycoons during his rule. He also criticised the extension granted to the army chief, criticising Khan’s decision.
