Lodhran ready to elect two MPAs
By-elections will be held in two Punjab Assembly constituencies, PP-224 and PP-228, in Lodhran on Sunday.
The areas fall under the National Assembly constituency NA-154.
The vigorous election campaign has caused an upheaval in the local political landscape with rivals of the past changing their affiliation. Former PML-N MPA Pir Amir Iqbal Shah is contesting in PP-224 for the PTI.
Similarly, in PP-228, Nazir Khan Baloch, a former PTI MPA, is contesting on a PML-N ticket.
Pir Rafiuddin Shah, a former MPA, is an independent candidate in PP-228, while the PTI has fielded Captain (retd) Izzat Javed.
Chaudhry Zawar Hussain Warraich is also contesting from PP-224 for the PML-N.
In PP-224, Zawar Hussain Warraich was elected MPA for the first time in the last general elections and he also served as a provincial minister. Nazir Khan Baloch was also elected MPA on PTI ticket for the first time.
Despite aggressive election campaigns with public meetings addressed by senior leaders, the candidates are watching the polling day with their fingers crossed as a large section of the voters had not openly declared their support for any one of them amid a forecast of close contests.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2022.