Heavyweights losing polls shun public gatherings

All prominent political figures, who badly lost their seats of the National Assembly and the provincial assembly in the recently-concluded February 8 elections, have restricted their movements outside and decided not to challenge the electoral results.

Interestingly, these prominent leaders ruled the political world and remained unbeaten since the non-party elections in 1985, and have been widely covered by the media.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Aamir Mehmood Kayani, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who contested the polls, seem to be tight-lipped after facing defeat in the elections.

On the other hand, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, ex-ministers Fayyaz Chauhan and Sadaqat Abbasi are some other political personalities who chose to stay away from contesting election. Nowadays, they are seen justifying their decisions in political gatherings.

Read SC to hear petition seeking to declare Feb 8 polls null and void

Even PML-N candidates, who have won their seats, have yet to celebrate their wins. Hardly a few dozen party activists sans voters distributed sweets at party’s central offices on Feb 9.

The victorious candidates also couldn’t stage any significant rallies in Rawalpindi despite their best efforts and tremendous pressure and it appears that the winners look more depressed than the losers.

Electoral offices of all winning and unsuccessful candidates of major stature remain empty. Political workers of all parties also look confused about the fast-changing political scenario.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2024.