PAT hammered in maiden poll run as PML-N wins PP-48 by-elections

PML-N backed candidate Inamullah Niazi secured a narrow victory over Ahmed Nawani

DARYA KHAN: Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) maiden run in polls fell flat after it was hammered in PP-48 Bhakkar by-elections on Saturday which saw Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) retain the seat.

Punjab assembly seat PP-48 had fallen vacant after PML-N’s Najeebullah Khan Niazi passed away earlier. Niazi was also a cousin of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan.

On Saturday, the PML-N backed independent candidate Inamullah Khan Niazi won by-elections after securing 47,593 votes.

Niazi, who is Najeebullah’s elder brother, only narrowly secured victory. Independent candidate Ahmed Nawaz Nawani lost with 47,013 votes.

However, PAT’s first foray in to electoral politics was far less spectacular. The party’s candidate, Nazar Abbas, was bottom with just 13,582 votes. The defeat is particularly heavy for PAT whose chief Dr Tahirul Qadri had spearheaded Abbas’ election campaign in the constituency.

Pakistan Peoples Party had boycotted elections in the constituency.