Ali Qasim Gilani bags NA-148 Multan

SIC’s Barrister Taimur Malik comes in second in by-election

MULTAN:

PPP candidate Ali Qasim Gilani, son of Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, on Sunday emerged victorious in the by-election for National Assembly constituency NA-148 Multan.

According to the unofficial results, Ali Qasim won the seat with 83,250 votes. His main contestant, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)/PTI-supported Barrister Taimur Malik, was the runner-up with 51,572 votes.

There were a total of seven candidates in the race for the seat. It was vacated by the senior Gilani, who had also served as a former premier, to become the Senate chairman.

On learning about Ali Qasim’s victory, PPP jiyalas (diehard supporters) thronged the Gilani House in Multan for celebrations.

The jiyalas danced the traditional bhangra on the sounds of the drums and carried Ali Qasim on their shoulders.

The PML-N did not field its candidate as it announced that it would support Ali Qasim.

Read PML-N wins lion’s share in by-elections

After Ali Qasim’s success, a unique record has been set.

His father is the Senate chairman, two brothers Ali Musa Gilani and Abdul Qadir Gilani are members of the NA, a third brother Ali Haider is an MPA and now he himself has become an MNA.

Speaking to the media, Ali Qasim expressed his gratitude to the Bhutto family and his father for giving him the ticket for the seat.

He thanked his constituents, especially the youth, saying that he would try to live up to their expectations.
However, SIC’s Malik claimed that the election was rigged in a major way.

“The turnout was not more than 25%. How did it become 50%?” he asked.

PTI leader Zain Qureshi, son of party vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said their mandate was stolen yet again.

MNA Amir Dogar said that they were told a week ago that “Gilani sahib’s son will win with a lead of 35,000 votes”.

He added that they would protest against this result and take to the streets very soon.