PML-N, PPP solidify gains

HYDERABAD/ LAHORE/ KARACHI:

As unofficial results of Thursday’s local government elections in Sindh and Punjab continue to trickle in, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party retained their dominance in their respective strongholds.

PML-N strong in Punjab

The PML-N consolidated itself in the second phase of local government polls as it won a massive 1,067 seats in 12 districts of Punjab with independents giving a strong account of themselves securing 894 seats.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which had performed poorly in the first phase of the elections bagged 353 seats while the PPP took a paltry 15 seats. JI and PML-Q each won eight seats, while 27 seats were bagged by other parties.

The PML-N bagged a majority in Attock (62 seats), Gujranwala (172 seats), Jehlum (99 seats), Sheikhupura (195 seats), Hafizabad (72 seats), Sargodha (142 seats), Sahiwal (67) and Toba Tek Singh (101 seats).

Independents had strong showings in Mandi Bahaudin (95 seats), Chiniot (94 seats) and Khanewal (137 seats).

In Mianwali, the hometown of PTI chief Imran Khan, the party only secured 67 of the 160 seats. Independents won 73 seats and PML-N 17 seats.

Sindh

Except for Badin, PPP dominated the second leg of the local government elections in Sindh, winning a majority in 13 of the 14 district councils in as many districts.

It bagged 421 of some 560 union councils. The party also secured 10 of the 13 municipal committees and 50 of the 62 town committees winning Nawabshah, Jamshoro, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar.

The PPP scored a surprise victory in Tharparkar, Thatta and Sujawal, beating out formidable opponents from the Arbab and Sherazi families — both of which are aligned to the PML-N.

A coalition led by the Jatois in Dadu district were pegged back by a resurgent PPP.

While Zulfiqar Mirza wrung Badin from PPP clutches, the Jatois prised Naushehro Feroze.

The MQM consolidated its electoral superiority in parts of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas districts.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2015.