The NA-120 once again was won by the ruling PML-N
LAHORE: The NA-120 once again was won by the ruling PML-N. However, this time around the PML-N’s victory has less to do with its candidate and mandate but more with the fact that a change in face would ensure no changes to political discourse. It comes off as less surprising that the PML-N stood victorious in a constituency it has kept since 1985, although equally alarming is the increasing vote bank of its greatest political opponent, the PTI. The party proving its mettle in an area politically dominated by the ruling party can turn out to be a major turn in the upcoming general elections. Maryam Nawaz also proved herself to be capable of dealing with party politics at the backend.
Another unusual aspect of the by-election was the candidate of a political party, Milli Muslim League, which is an offshoot of the banned militant outfit Jamatud Dawa that contested the election despite the interior ministry’s objection.
Amin Rana
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2017.
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