October 19, 2001	Friday	Shaba'an 1, 1422

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SARGODHA, Oct 18: The candidates having relations with Nazims or Naib Nazims or supported by them have returned to respective union councils of Sargodha and Khushab districts in the by-election leaving their opponents to raise hue and cry about rigging.

In union council No 147, Mirza Islam captured the seat of Nazim which was vacated by his brother, Mirza Ilyas, who was elevated to Sargodha tehsil Naib Nazim. Mirza Islam bagged 2,425 votes while his close rival, Haji Muhammad Ashraf, got 1,100 votes.

In Vijh union council, Muhammad Khan Lahri, the nephew of tehsil Nazim Ghulam Asghar Lahri, retained the seat of his uncle who was elevated to Sahiwal tehsil Nazim.

In union council No 3, Khushab, Malik Asif retained the seat of his uncle, Ayub, who was elected as Khushab tehsil Nazim.

Abdul Hafeez of the Awami Ittehad returned to the Adhi Kot union council, Khushab district.

Minor scuffles were reported from all the councils where bypolls were held, but a serious clash took place in union council No 7, Padhrar, where one person was killed and many others injured.

This seat was vacated by Malik Shakir Bashir who was elevated to Khushab district council Naib Nazim. His group nominated Malik Pervez, while the rival Malik Naeem group fielded Mulazim Husain for this seat in the bypolls. Malik Bashir group maintained its victory and took out a procession in jubilation which was reportedly attacked by the supporters of Mulazim Husain.

In the attack a shopkeeper, Allah Ditta, was killed while several other persons were injured.

Meanwhile, Mulazim Husain has alleged rigging in the by-elections.