- Muhammad Zareef Web Desk
- 6 Hours ago
Vote counting in progress as PML-N leads PP-52 by-election
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- Web Desk
- Jun 01, 2025
SIALKOT: As polling was closed for a by-election in PP-52 Sialkot on Sunday, the unofficial results from nine polling stations show that Hina Arshad Warraich of PML-N was leading the race, with Fakhir Nishat Ghuman trailing second.
Officials are counting the votes in a constituency that covers Sambrial tehsil, as both PPP and PTI claimed rigging in favour of the ruling party candidate.
According to the current available figures about the unofficial results collected from 150 polling stations, Hina has so far begged 61,393 votes. The total for Ghuman is 32,030.
Commenting on the imminent victory, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described it as a “big lead”.
However, the PPP candidate is nowhere in the race, as the party has lost in vote bank in Punjab at an alarming rate after the 2008-13 stint in the government.
Meanwhile, the PPP hasn’t gained a majority to form a government in Punjab since 1977, a province that propelled Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to power after giving an unprecedented support.
This Punjab Assembly seat fell vacant after the demise of PML-N lawmaker Arshad Javed Warraich. The party opted to field his daughter Hina.
With a total of 15 candidates in the race, the PTI awarded ticket to Ghuman, while Raheel Kamran Cheema is representing the PPP.
RIGGING TALK
During the day, PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf, who has also served as the prime minister amid after the Supreme Court removed Yousaf Raza Gillani from the office, claimed the closure of some polling stations so that the results could be influenced in the favour of PML-N nominee.
However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the allegations and said the PPP had failed to provide any evidence to substantiate the stance.
Similarly, the PTI said their supporters were barred from exercising the right to vote by using different tactics.
Commenting on the latest developments, Punjab Senior Minister described the claims as “PTI’s circus”, which represents “Same old script, lies, drama, and nonstop whining”.
In her reaction, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said PTI had started mourning which was their ritual, as she asked them to show some patience. The Tiger – the PML-N election symbol – would be visible everywhere in a while, she remarked.
Similarly, another social media user asked whether the PTI had started singing “raag dhandli” (raag rigging).
Meanwhile, the ECP had established 185 polling stations for the PP-52 by election, where over 2,000 personnel of law enforcement performed their duty.
