DC Mianwali replaced weeks before by-election

With tough by-elections looming in Mianwali – a PTI stronghold – the PML-N-led government has changed the deputy commissioner of the district less than a month before polling.

On Monday, the Punjab government removed DC Mianwali Khalid Javed Goraya and appointed Muhammad Asad Abbas Magsi, a grade-18 provincial services officer, in his place.

Magsi was relieved of his earlier charge as Additional Secretary of Wildlife, Forest and Fisheries, while Mr Goraya was granted four weeks' medical leave.

It is pertinent to mention that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already issued the schedule for by-elections in PP-87 Mianwali.

In the last contest, the PML-N candidate was trounced by the PTI-backed nominee, losing by a margin of 95,000 votes and securing only around 13,000.

This time, the party has fielded a different candidate, Ali Noor Khan Niazi. However, despite practically being the lone contender in the race, he has struggled to gain traction.

Locals reported that until Saturday, his attempts to stage campaign shows on different occasions had largely failed.

Observers see the change of DC before elections as a textbook move to engage state machinery in rallying support, and possibly votes, for the ruling party's candidate.

Back in April, PML-N's ally, the PPP, had cried foul when the Punjab government transferred the deputy commissioner of Sialkot despite the issuance of the election schedule for the PP-52 by-election. The PPP had even termed that move "pre-poll rigging".

However, this time the PPP has returned firmly to its ally mode.