Tickets
LAHORE: As the general elections draw near, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has unveiled its party candidates for the National and Punjab Assemblies, sparking controversy as more than 30 family members secure tickets. The list includes candidates in various familial relationships, such as father-son, father-daughter, husband-wife, brother-in-law, mother-son, father-in-law, and uncle-nephew.
Prominent figures like PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are set to contest the National Assembly polls from Lahore. Similarly, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz will participate in both the National Assembly and provincial assembly polls.
Saiful Mulok Khokhar, the PML-N Lahore President, has been granted a ticket for the National Assembly seat, while his son Faisal Ayub received one for the provincial assembly. The pattern continues with other candidates like Afzal Khokhar and his nephew Irfan Shafi Khokhar from Lahore, and Awais Leghari and his son Amar Leghari from Dera Ghazi Khan.
Notably, PML-N has introduced eight new faces for National Assembly tickets in Punjab, including Bilal Azhar Kayani, the son of Major General (retd) Azhar Kayani from Jhelum. The party has also nominated six women for National Assembly seats and three for provincial assembly seats in Punjab.
The extensive use of familial ties in candidate selection has raised concerns about nepotism and favoritism within the PML-N. This controversy may impact public perception and add a layer of complexity to the upcoming elections, where voters will scrutinize not only the party’s political stance but also its internal dynamics.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
