Fida Hussnain Lahore
In anticipation of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, the Pakistan Muslim League-N on Friday released list of candidates for the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly seats in Lahore.
The PML-N lineup also included party’s supremo Nawaz Sharif contesting from NA-130, President Shehbaz Sharif from NA-123, Hamza Shehbaz from NA-118, Maryam Nawaz from NA-119 and NA-159, and Khawaja Saad Rafique from NA-122.
Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif will not contest election from NA-242 constituency in Karachi as withdrew his nomination papers after MQM-P refused to withdraw its candidate Mustafa Kamal from NA-242.
Meanwhile, PML-N Senator Nehal Hashmi said that Khawaja Shoaib will be PML-N’s candidate from NA-242 in place of Shehbaz Sharif as no consensus reached with MQM-P for seat adjustment.
On the provincial front, Shehbaz Sharif is set to vie for seats in PP-164 and PP-158. Meanwhile, Hamza and Maryam were nominated for PP-147 and PP-159 constituencies, respectively. The announcement outlined key contenders for various constituencies, with seasoned politician Sheikh Rohail Asghar nominated to represent PML-N in the NA-121 constituency in Lahore.
In a significant move, Ayaz Sadiq, initially eyeing the same constituency, will now contest from NA-120 under the PML-N banner.
One of the most anticipated electoral battles is expected in NA-127, where the PML-N selected former minister Attaullah Tarar to face off against Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
However, internal divisions within PML-N have surfaced, notably in NA-143, where the party is yet to finalize its candidate. The sources said that the discontent might lead several party members in Sahiwal to contest the elections independently if they are not awarded party tickets.
As the election fervor intensifies, Lahore braces itself for an electoral showdown with these PML-N candidates vying for representation in the National and Punjab Assemblies.
