Minister's brother wins walkover in NA-66 by-poll

The PML-N has secured a walkover in NA-66 after its candidate, the younger brother of Federal Information Minister Ata Tarar, was declared the winner unopposed.

Bilal Farooq Tarar, the PML-N candidate from NA-66, was declared elected unopposed on Saturday after all other candidates gradually withdrew from the race. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued Form 32 to this effect.

It is pertinent to mention that the PTI had officially decided not to contest the elections, leading its candidate to withdraw. The PPP also pulled out in favour of the PML-N as part of a broader seat adjustment understanding.

The only remaining party with the potential to attract a significant vote bank — the TLP — was effectively barred by the Punjab government, with much of its leadership either on the run or behind bars. Although the ban was imposed on religious grounds, in practice it functioned as an all-encompassing restriction.

TLP had secured the third-highest number of votes from this constituency in the previous election, and some political observers speculate that the crackdown against the party, following its attempt to hold a pro-Palestine rally, aimed to eliminate a potential political challenger in Punjab.

Despite the election becoming a one-horse race, intra-party challenges remained a concern, as candidates denied tickets often contest as independents. However, this issue too was managed. The seat — long associated with the Cheema family, who had represented the party in the past three elections — was allotted to Bilal Tarar to help the Tarar family build its political base.

Nisar Cheema was reportedly asked to support Bilal Tarar with promises of future rewards. Even if Cheema had chosen to break ranks, sources suggest he might not have been able to contest the election.

Separately, in NA-96, Nawab Sher Waseer reportedly refused to withdraw in favour of Bilal Bader Chaudhry, brother of State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry. Police raids were allegedly conducted to pressure Waseer into stepping down, reportedly on the minister's instructions.