ISLAMABAD: As heavyweight figures from various political backgrounds continued to file their nomination papers in Punjab, a multitude of intriguing electoral battles began to take shape on Friday.
Notable figures like PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and PTI founder Imran Khan secured their nomination papers.
In NA-130, former PML-N MNA Bilal Yasin collected Mr. Sharif’s nomination papers, standing as a covering candidate for the same seat.
Meanwhile, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif obtained papers for NA-123, Punjab Assembly seats PP-158 and PP-164 in Lahore, with additional filings for NA-132 in Kasur.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s nomination papers were filed for NA-128 in Lahore, setting the stage for a contest against PML-N’s Khawaja Ahmed Hassaan and Jamaat-i-Islami’s Liaqat Baloch.
Despite uncertainty around his eligibility, Imran Khan’s papers were filed for NA-89 in Mianwali.
PTI’s incarcerated social media activist Sanam Javed’s father, Javed Iqbal, revealed his daughter’s plan to contest against Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz in PP-150 in Lahore, having collected papers for multiple constituencies on her behalf.
Additionally, IPP’s Khurram Hameed Rokhari submitted nominations for NA-89, competing against Imran Khan, while PPP’s Nawab Amir Muhammad Khan and PML-N’s Ubaidullah Shadi Khel vied for the same seat.
Abdul Aleem Khan of IPP aimed for NA-147 in Khanewal and potentially a National Assembly constituency in Lahore.
Elsewhere, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and his son Khurram Pervaiz entered the fray for NA-52 and PP-8 from Gujar Khan respectively.
PTI’s Parvez Elahi will contest NA-69 in Mandi Bahauddin, while former defence minister Khawaja Asif eyes NA-71 in Sialkot, also filing for Punjab Assembly seats PP-46 and 47.
In Jhang, Faisal Saleh Hayat, Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan, and Ghulam Bibi Bharwana filed papers for NA-108, with other candidates set for NA-109 and NA-110.
Nadeem Afzal Chan from PPP aimed for NA-82 and 86 in Sargodha, while PML-N’s Ataullah Tarar sought NA-77 in Gujranwala.
Moreover, sources close to former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi shared that he won’t contest the elections. Instead, due to pressure from constituents, his son Nader will file papers independently for NA-51 in Murree.
