PML-N fields Attaullah Tarar against Bilawal-Bhutto in NA-127

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has unveiled its list of candidates for the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly seats in Lahore District for the upcoming general elections on Feb 8.

As per the list shared on X (formerly Twitter), the PML-N has nominated seasoned politician Sheikh Rohail Asghar for the NA-121 constituency in Lahore. In the same constituency, Ayaz Sadiq, who had also expressed interest in contesting, will now run for election from NA-120 on the party’s ticket.

A significant electoral contest is anticipated in Lahore, as the PML-N has chosen former minister Attaullah Tarar to face off against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari in NA-127.

Other notable candidacies include PML-N supremo in NA-130, President Shehbaz Sharif in NA-123, Hamza Shehbaz in NA-118, Maryam Nawaz in NA-119 and NA-159, and Khawaja Saad Rafique in NA-122.

For provincial assembly seats, Shehbaz Sharif is set to contest from PP-164 and PP-158, while Hamza and Maryam are nominated for PP-147 and PP-159 constituencies, respectively.

Earlier reports suggested internal differences within the PML-N ranks, particularly regarding the selection of a candidate for NA-143.

Sources indicated that if party members in Sahiwal do not secure PML-N tickets, many might opt to run independently in the national and provincial constituencies on Feb 8, 2024.

In NA-143, dissatisfaction arose among local PML-N leaders due to seat adjustments with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Tufail Jatt has decided to run as an independent candidate after being denied the party ticket.

Moreover, PML-N’s Qasim Nadeem, Malik Amir, and Mubashir Hasan are set to compete against each other in the upcoming election on PP-199. Similarly, Malik Arshad Khan will face a challenge from former Mayor Asad Khan Baloch.