The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) recently released the list of contesting candidates for the upcoming general elections, scheduled in just over two weeks. The announcement comes following the deadline for candidature withdrawal and the publication of the revised candidate list on January 12. This process experienced delays due to ongoing litigation.
Electoral Battles and Contestants
In a notable contest, PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif will compete against PTI’s Dr. Yasmin Rashid in NA-130, Lahore, on February 8. Sharif is also a candidate in NA-15 (Mansehra), where his challengers include Gustasif Khan (PTI) and Mufti Kifayatullah (JUI-F). PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif runs in NA-123 (Lahore) and NA-132 (Kasur). His opponents in Lahore include Afzaal Azeem (PTI) and Liaqat Baloch (JI), and in Kasur, Mohammad Ali Dogar (PTI) and Shaheen Safdar (PPP).
Maryam Nawaz of PML-N will contest from NA-119 (Lahore), facing Mian Abaad Farooque (PTI) and Iftikhar Shahid (PPP). Hamza Shehbaz, also from PML-N, is vying for NA-118 (Lahore) against Aliya Hamza (PTI), Mohammad Afzal Khan (JUI-F), and Shahid Abbas (PPP). Both Maryam and Hamza are additionally contesting provincial assembly seats in Lahore.
Ex-president Asif Ali Zardari is running for NA-207 (Shaheed Benazirabad) against Sardar Sher Mohammad Rind Baloch (PTI). His son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, is contesting in three NA constituencies, including NA-127 Lahore, where he faces PML-N’s Ataullah Tarar and Chaudhry Shabbir Gujjar (PTI). Yusuf Raza Gilani, a former prime minister, is contesting for NA-148 (Multan) against PTI’s Barrister Taimur Malik and PML-N’s Ahmad Hussain.
In NA-122 (Lahore), Khawaja Saad Rafiq (PML-N) will compete with PTI’s Sardar Latif Khosa. In NA-241 (Karachi), Dr. Farooq Sattar will face PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman. In NA-54 (Rawalpindi), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan (independent) and Ghulam Sarwar (IPP) will contest, with PTI’s Azar Masood also in the race. Sheikh Rashid of the Awami Muslim League and PML-N’s Hanif Abbasi are vying for NA-56 (Rawalpindi).
These contests reflect Pakistan’s dynamic and diverse political landscape, with experienced politicians and new faces alike vying for seats in the upcoming general elections.
