The PML-N defeated Hafiz Saeed-linked PMML in the NA-77 parliamentary by-election. The result extends the outfit’s failure to secure a seat after the 2024 polls.
A political party linked to Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has suffered an electoral setback in Pakistan, losing a parliamentary by-election in Punjab to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), despite securing more than 30,000 votes.
The by-election was held on Sunday in the NA-77 constituency of Gujranwala district, around 80 km from Lahore, following the death of lawmaker Mehmood Bashir Virk.
According to results announced by the Election Commission on Monday, Saeed’s Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) candidate Muhammad Ibrahim Gujjar secured over 30,000 votes, while the PML-N’s Rashid Bashir Virk won with more than 43,000 votes.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamaat-e-Islami did not field candidates in the by-election.
The polling witnessed low voter turnout, with one village observing a complete boycott of the by-election.
The Election Commission also issued explanation notices to five PML-N women lawmakers over alleged violations of the election code of conduct.
Meanwhile, the PMML accused the ruling PML-N of widespread rigging and rejected the election results.
The PMML had also contested Pakistan’s 2024 general elections but failed to win a single seat.
Saeed, the founder of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), was earlier associated with the Milli Muslim League. The PMML subsequently emerged as another political platform linked to him and reportedly enjoys the backing of Pakistan’s establishment.
