LAHORE:Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) is most likely to pitch Punjab’s former governor Baligh ur Rehman from NA-168, the seat vacated as a result of the death of its sitting MNA Malik Iqbal Channar.
Baligh ur Rehman has been winner from this seat in the general elections of 2008 and 2013. However, he lost 2018 elections at the hands of a PTI candidate. In 2022, Baligh was made Punjab Governor when Shehbaz Sharif took over as Prime Minister after a successful no-confidence move against the PTI founding Chairman Imran Khan.
In the year 2024, PMLN chose former provincial minister Malik Iqbal Channar for the seat that falls in Bahawalpur city (urban areas of Bahawalpur) while PTI-backed candidate was former provincial minister Sami Ullah Chaudhry. Amid lots of controversies attached to the 2024 general elections, NA-168 went to PMLN and as per official results, Iqbal Channar was notified as MNA with big margin.
From a provincial seat falling under NA-168, his son Malik Zaheer Iqbal won and later became Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly. This is noteworthy that late Malik Iqbal Channar was the only MPA of PMLN in entire district who got elected even in 2002. Sources said his son Munir Iqbal is also an aspirant for the party ticket.
Now, with the seat vacant, Baligh ur Rehman is most likely to make a comeback in election arena and with a possible boycott of PTI, he may not face much resistance from opponents in the by-election.
Nevertheless, the winner of 2018 general election on a provincial seat Sami Ullah Chaudhry, who claimed victory in 2024 against Iqbal Channar is also very much likely to be the candidate.
Talking to The News, he said it’s up to the party to decide, if it doesn't stage boycott, he would certainly contest. "It is premature to say because the schedule of election is yet to be announced" said Sami Ullah.
Noted PPP figure in the area is Hussein Madni and if Peoples Party participates in the elections, he or his nominee could be the ticket holder.In the year 2002, this seat was won by Farooq Azam Malik of National Alliance but he lost as PPP candidate to Baligh ur Rehman in 2008, and as Bahawalpur National Awami Party candidate in 2013. Farooq Azam Malik won again in 2018 against Baligh ur Rehman as the candidate of PTI.
