Punjab wants NA-133 by-polls rescheduled
Police fire teargas shells on supporters of TLP during a march towards Islamabad from Lahore on October 22, 2021. PHOTO: AFP
The Home Department, Government of Punjab has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to reschedule the election in NA-133 Lahore XI due to the current protests of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The Punjab Home Department sent a letter on Friday to the ECP requesting rescheduling of NA-133 by-elections keeping in view the current security situation in Punjab.
In its letter, the Punjab Home Department stated that the “District Intelligence Committee (DIC), Lahore in its meeting dated 28.10.2021 has strongly recommended rescheduling of subject by-election owing to current and future apprehended security scenario.”
The letter stated that the current law and order situation in Lahore has deteriorated due to the protests of the TLP adding that the Police and administration are unable to prepare for the Lahore by-elections due to the current scenario.
The letter particularly noted that “there is a grave apprehension that we may face a serious law and order situation” on the occasion of TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi's first death anniversary on November 19.
The Punjab Home Department thus requested the ECP “to reschedule the by-election (NA-133), till normalization of the situation.
”It should be noted that the NA-133 Lahore XI seat was vacated due to the death of senior Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Pervaiz Malik. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had fielded Jamshed Iqbal Cheema from this constituency while PML-N had fielded Shaista Pervaiz Malik as its candidate and Aslam Gill was issued a ticket by the Pakistan Peoples Party.