ECP announces winners in by-polls

SIC second largest party in the lower house, ECP informs NA secretariat in a letter

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), victory notifications have been issued for several candidates emerging triumphant in the by-polls held across various constituencies.Leading the announcements is Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, who secured victory in NA-196 Shahdadkot.

The ECP also confirmed the win of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Falak Sher Awan in PP-22 Talagang.Further victories include Adnan Afzal Chattha from PP-36 Wazirabad, Ahmed Iqbal Chaudhry in PP-54 Narowal, and Saeed Akbar Khan from PP-93 Bhakkar, all representing the PML-N.Adding to the list of winners, Rana Afzal Hussain emerged victorious in PP-139 Sheikhupura, while Muhammad Riaz clinched victory in PP-147 Lahore, both representing the PML-N.Noteworthy wins also include Shoaib Siddiqui of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) in PP-149 Lahore, Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz from PP-158 Lahore, and Rashid Minhas in PP-164.Completing the roster of successful candidates are PPP's Mumtaz Ali from PP-266 Rahim Yar Khan and Ali Ahmed Khan Leghari from PP-290 Dera Ghazi Khan.

SIC second largest party in NA

Meanwhile, the ECP in a letter to the National Assembly secretariat shared information regarding the latest party standings.As per the document, 82 independent members of the NA have aligned themselves with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

Specifically, 49 independent members from Punjab and 33 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) have joined the SIC. However, no reserved seat has been allotted to the SIC.The ECP document reveals that the SIC now stands as the second-largest party in the National Assembly.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) commands 120 members, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) holds 71 seats.Additionally, there are 7 independent members, with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) having 21 members, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) with 11 members, and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) with five members.

Similarly, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has four members, while the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), and Balochistan National Party (BNP) each have one member in the National Assembly.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and National Party each hold one seat as well.It's worth mentioning that the NA secretariat had sought an update from the ECP regarding the current party composition.