Lahore:
The Wazirabad by-election is about to shake up the longtime domination of the Cheema family, while Bilal Tarar, brother of the federal minister, appears to be the expected candidate for the PML-N ticket for NA-66, according to party sources.
With only ten days to play before the electoral symbols were allocated, the candidates for heavy goods vehicles consolidate their positions both in the constituency and beyond, aimed at guaranteeing the party ticket, a price considered very coveted, in particular with PTI deciding to withdraw from the race.
However, the withdrawal of PTI is limited to vacant seats due to the disqualifications of parliamentarians. NA-129 does not fall into this category and the party candidate, Hamad Azhar, son of the late Mna, remains a competitor.
On the PML -N side, three heavy goods vehicles – Mehr Ishtiaq, Mian Nouman and Rana Mashud, who is currently president of the PM youth program – are in scratch.
According to some party leaders, Rana Mashud is considered the favorite, given its proximity to the PM. However, Hafiz Mian Nouman’s team rejected the complaint, arguing that all the contenders hinder to position themselves as the favorite choice of the party.
They added that the last word rests with party leadership in the next two to three days.
Hafiz Mian Nouman was a finalist in NA-129, obtaining more than 71,000 votes against the total veteran politician Mian Muhammad Azhar in more than 103,000 votes in the 2024 elections.
Given the PML-N’s trend to rotate leaders in Lahore, long considered a bastion of the party, it is unlikely that the result will sound major surprises.
However, Wazirabad presents a different scenario. Rumors suggest that Bilal Tarar, brother of the federal minister, is the favorite of NA-66. Since 2008, headquarters have been a bastion of the Cheema family, which had won four elections, including a by -election, until 2024.
