Analysts say by-election results may strain PPP-PMLN alliance

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as the clear victor in low-key by-elections held on Sunday across 13 constituencies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, clinching nearly all National Assembly (NA) and Provincial Assembly (PA) seats up for contest.

The sole exception, according to unofficial early counts released after midnight, was a Punjab Assembly seat in Muzaffargarh, which went to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

The PML-N was also ahead in three additional constituencies where final tallies had yet to be announced, primarily two seats in Faisalabad and the NA-18 seat in Haripur.

Voting took place for six NA seats, NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96 and NA-104 (Faisalabad), NA-129 (Lahore), NA-143 (Sahiwal) and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan); along with seven PA constituencies, including PP-73 (Sargodha), PP-87 (Mianwali), PP-98, PP-115, PP-116 (Faisalabad), PP-203 (Sahiwal) and PP-269 (Muzaffargarh).

According to reports, turnout was muted, largely due to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) boycott of the polls following the disqualification of several of its lawmakers in the aftermath of the May 9 violence cases.

The party fielded candidates only in the NA races in Lahore and Haripur. The PML-N contested nearly all seats except PP-269, where the PPP’s Alamdar Qureshi secured victory uncontested. In NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan), Lahore’s NA-129, and NA-143 (Sahiwal), PML-N prevailed. Likewise, in NA-104 and NA-96 the ruling party emerged victorious.

Haripur presented the only tightly contested race. While PTI insiders claimed their candidate held a significant lead, partial results uploaded by the ECP showed PML-N’s Babar Nawaz maintaining an advantage.

Provincial results mirrored national trend with PML-N sweeping most Punjab Assembly contests. In PP-203, Muhammad Hanif won comfortably with 45,073 votes. The party’s nominees also dominated in PP-87, PP-115, PP-116 and PP-73. The PPP’s only win in the region came in PP-269, where Alamdar Abbas Qureshi prevailed.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described voter participation as “robust,” claiming that PML-N’s mobilisation efforts were strong across key districts. He argued the PTI’s boycott would politically isolate the opposition. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja also downplayed the low turnout, noting the elections did not impact parliamentary arithmetic.

Analysts suggested the by-polls could strengthen the PML-N’s position in the National Assembly, consequently making make PPP support unnecessary for a majority. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, especially from the PTI, levelled allegations of misconduct throughout the day.

Reacting to the by-election results, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that this victory is a reflection of public confidence in government performance. He also congratulated PML-N candidates on their brilliant victory in the by-elections.

PM Sharif said that the victory in the by-elections was achieved due to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s vision and the hard work of party workers. He added that the victory is also a reflection of public confidence in Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s hard work for the development of the people.