Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), has filed nomination papers for two National Assembly (NA) seats (NA-119 and NA-120) and three Provincial Punjab (PP) seats (PP-159, PP-160, and PP-165) for the upcoming general elections.
In the 2018 general elections, PTI’s Rahat Aman Ullah Bhatti won the NA-119 constituency, while PML-N’s Rana Afzaal Hussain stood as the runner-up. For NA-120, PML-N’s Rana Tanveer Hussain emerged as the winner, with PTI’s Ali Asghar Chaudhry as the runner-up.
Maryam Nawaz has also submitted nomination papers for three constituencies in the Punjab Assembly (PP-159, PP-160, and PP-165).
In another political development, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has filed nomination papers from the NA-128 constituency in Lahore.
Traditionally a stronghold of the PML-N, NA-128 has seen the PPP challenging the Sharif brothers in the upcoming polls. PML-N’s Mian Ahmed Subhan is expected to contest elections against Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in the NA-128 constituency.
The general elections in Pakistan are scheduled for February 8, 2024, following the Supreme Court’s order and the issuance of the electoral schedule by the national poll organizing authority.
Caretaker PM Kakar Addresses Concerns on Electoral Process and Security Challenges
In another development, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has assured that the government will investigate complaints about obstacles preventing some people from participating in the electoral process.
In an interview with a private television channel, he emphasized that people are free to vote for the candidates of their choice, and there is no policy to exclude anyone from the political process.
Regarding the incidents of May 9, Kakar stated that those involved in disruptive behavior during that time should not be allowed to hold public office, although the Election Commission will ultimately decide on candidate qualifications and disqualifications.
He acknowledged that while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a whole should not be linked to the May 9 incident, those directly or indirectly involved should face legal consequences.
Kakar expressed concern over social unrest and chaos on May 9, stating that it endangered Pakistan’s security and could have severe implications for the state.
He emphasized that maintaining public order is a lawful tool, and the administration has historically used it to confine the movement of people as a preemptive measure.
