Heavyweights Clash in Bahawalpur NA-168 By-Election

News Desk
LAHORE: The electoral landscape in Bahawalpur has intensified as a high-stakes heavyweight contest takes shape for the NA-168 by-election, scheduled for September 27.
The race has narrowed down to a direct duel between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, son of the late lawmaker, and independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema, son of former federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema.
The upcoming by-poll is defined by multiple concurrent political dynamics, prominently featuring voter sympathy following the demise of sitting PML-N MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, alongside long-standing local demands for a separate province.
Further shifting the electoral arithmetic, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has formally withdrawn its candidate to back Mr Channar under coalition arrangements.
PPP leader Syed Ali Haider Gillani noted that the reciprocal support follows PML-N’s non-interference in seats won by the PPP during the 2024 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has opted out of the electoral exercise entirely.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced the party’s decision to boycott all polling processes under current political circumstances, effectively leaving the opposition bench empty in the constituency and altering traditional campaigning strategies for the remaining contenders.
With polling day fast approaching, political and religious groups continue to consolidate behind the PML-N candidate. Election management authorities and local administration are finalizing logistical frameworks to ensure peaceful voting across the constituency, while analysts closely monitor voter turnout amidst the major opposition’s absence.