ECP rejects Punjab govt request to postpone NA-149 by-polls

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

MULTAN: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday rejected a request put forward by the Punjab government to postpone the upcoming by-election on Multan's NA-149 seat on account of security concerns.

ECP said permitted the government to deploy Rangers personnel at polling stations in light of the stated security concerns in Multan and said the by-polls would be carried out with the security under the Rangers' management.

By-polls on the vacant seat will take place as per the schedule on Oct 16, the ECP said.

The Multan seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) President Javed Hashmi. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had accepted Hashmi’s resignation from the seat with effect from Aug 18.

Also read: NA-149 by-poll: bumpy road ahead for renegade Hashmi

Hashmi had however announced that he would contest the by-polls as an independent candidate. Moreover, leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) had hinted at supporting Hashmi in the by-election after Hashmi held press conferences alleging that the PTI's sit-ins and protests in Islamabad were part of a ‘conspiracy’ against democracy.

kHAN

Oct 13, 2014 12:02pm

N league has accepted defeat.

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Riz

Oct 13, 2014 12:06pm

Another form of rigging, PML-n can't learn, will do everything to achieve required results,

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Amin Ansari

Oct 13, 2014 12:10pm

Unbelievable. Lets see if ECP shows its independence from the executive branch that the sorry head of PMLN is in charge of.

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Khurram

Oct 13, 2014 12:10pm

Really sad, this corrupt lot won't learn. What's Punjab govt doing for the last 6 years if it can't maintain the law and order in the province.

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Fawad Gilani

Oct 13, 2014 12:13pm

The government should be scared about security. Baton Wielding PTI Jialas will be there for a warm welcome to the voters on Javed Hashmi

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fakistan

Oct 13, 2014 12:14pm

Nawaz league sensing that Javed Hashimi's loss is almost certain would play these dirty tactics. Where was security when government's goons attacked the hotel a day earlier? Shameful double standards.

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Kashee

Oct 13, 2014 12:14pm

Conspiracy to remove the barrier to election fraud by the PMLN, seems person responsible for election in NA-149 is unsold yet.

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Daniyal

Oct 13, 2014 12:15pm

Its 18th October not 16th

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nafees

Oct 13, 2014 12:19pm

So much for democracy!

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Imran Khan

Oct 13, 2014 12:30pm

Why punjab govt so interested in this? PMLN is not even contesting. They want to make better rigging plans

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Hassan

Oct 13, 2014 12:43pm

Now PML(N) is running with the tale between their legs

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ASAD

Oct 13, 2014 12:44pm

Pml N will definitely face the defeat NA 149, so ECP should take stand against this conspiracy.

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Iqbal

Oct 13, 2014 12:45pm

PMLn might have lost confidence of winning this seat. It wanted to have delaying tactics to avoid the concentration of Multzn's people after a successful gathering of pti

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Insaf khan

Oct 13, 2014 12:52pm

Hashmi doesn't know what he is doing People respected him all along but his mental abilities have deteriorated over time and he needs to retire Shame on Pmln for using a vulnerable man for their political advantage

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M Rafique

Oct 13, 2014 01:01pm

An other step to save PM of Pakistan, CM of Punjab, democracy and constitution by PML (N) govt

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SM ZAKI

Oct 13, 2014 01:11pm

An attempt to save Mr Hashmi from a humiliating defeat as Multan has shown its mood in PTI rally.

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sohail

Oct 13, 2014 01:12pm

Good trick as Hashmi seems to be loosing this by-polls.

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Parvez

Oct 13, 2014 01:17pm

.......postpone.......why ?......because defeat is staring you in the face ?

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abdullah

Oct 13, 2014 01:17pm

A proof govt has accepted its defeat, after a massive show of muscle from PTI. Every body knows in Multan, who is going to win, govt is delaying this, so that they can orchestrate a strategy to counter PTI. However, they are unable to understand every such move of them is adding more to their woes.

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Khwaja

Oct 13, 2014 01:22pm

The (N) League Tiger is afraid of the Bat-Man!

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Oct 13, 2014 01:25pm

Defeat written on the walls. Shame on your poor morale

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Noor

Oct 13, 2014 01:31pm

Result is writing on the wall, that's why gov. is trying to hide behind a non-issue, Hashmi sb will lose the seat and will lose in big way, no competition, may be difference could 1:2.

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Ahmed

Oct 13, 2014 01:35pm

Punjab government understood the fate of Javed Hashmi in coming by election that he can't win even with PML-N, so they want to postpone it. What a cunning politics!

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Zoab Khan

Oct 13, 2014 01:36pm

PMLN sees the writing on the wall in this bye-election. What they don't realize is momentum pick up more. This is slow death for PMLN.

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Ali

Oct 13, 2014 01:43pm

Multan is a proper city, it's shame they can not assure security in main cities but ..... this is just a political tactic to save their "Daghi" from humiliation.

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Harmony

Oct 13, 2014 01:47pm

Hashmi says "PTI's sit-ins and protests in Islamabad were part of a ‘conspiracy’ against democracy". Why was he part of it it then before he got chucked out?

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Irfan

Oct 13, 2014 02:02pm

Common PMLN. You take stay orders one after another. Here you are asking for the postponement of the election. I think you only show bravery in front of your Gullu butts. Otherwise you are really coward. You doesn't have the courage to face the truth. Your count down has been started.

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nisar

Oct 13, 2014 02:02pm

PML-N is scared of the outcome which would result in many baghis from their party

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fizza

Oct 13, 2014 02:08pm

I was in Islamabad sit in also while ago. I just a common citizen who don't want the corruption continue in the country. What conspiracy is Hashmi talking about? I have to pay for myself and my family for everything from Lahore to Islamabad. Ik is not going to pay my Islamabad hotel and food cost for my contribution to PTI. But I know when the country is prospering. My children will be benefiting from what I am doing today.

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ghuman

Oct 13, 2014 02:11pm

I can't wait to see daghi losing as he stabbed pakistani,s movement not just imran khan.

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M Rafique

Oct 13, 2014 02:18pm

Be ready for the consequences who so ever in ECP rejected the order,

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raza

Oct 13, 2014 02:23pm

Hashmi is a great man and he will win. These PTI support is only to come out to a party and dance not for the substance of it.

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Mithidada

Oct 13, 2014 02:27pm

That means Hashmi is in deep trouble

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John

Oct 13, 2014 03:29pm

There should be a full audit of the results with thumb verification of votes cast to make sure the nation sees how many votes Mr. Democracy actually got. The way things stand, he will lose his deposit. What a fall from grace for this Trojan Horse.

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saeed

Oct 13, 2014 03:41pm

Hashmi, backed by N league has lost the battle, that is why Punjab Govt. dont want election in this constituency until RO (Returning officer) assures them victory.

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khalid

Oct 13, 2014 05:00pm

Hashmi is a man of truth, I hope he win the seat. Imran khan doesn't care about how much Pakistan's economy suffered because of him it mean he doesn't care about the poor people of this country he just wanted to be prime minister of the country. If he was sincere with the country he could pressurized the government to do something for the poor people of this country instead of trying himself to be prime minister . His whole struggle is revolving around to be prime minister not for poor people. He did nothing of significant in KP province to set the example for others . He just raising the slogans for poor like others are doing for 67 years . it is quite possible a man who could play good cricket can ply good football or can be a good prime minister.

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khalid

Oct 13, 2014 05:01pm

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Haider Rehman

Oct 13, 2014 05:55pm

Govt needs time to rig by poll. People have lost confidence in Hashmi.

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Darkanu

Oct 13, 2014 07:40pm

Daghi is loosing despite support of his parent party that came in power with blessing of riggid polling. Relax Mr Daghi at your sweet home.

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Kanwarch

Oct 13, 2014 08:14pm

PML(n) is anticipating crushing defeat and therefore will do everything to postpone the elections

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arshad Javed

Oct 13, 2014 10:41pm

my question to our brothers and sister at PTI why you are using bad words all the time be patience let the time come in 2018

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Samuel

Oct 13, 2014 11:04pm

@Kanwarch PMLn is not even contesting. Its Javed Hashmi against Amir Dogar who is being funded and supported by agencies and PTI. INSHALLAH Hashmi sb will win.

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Samuel

Oct 13, 2014 11:05pm

@Darkanu So u think, Hashmi will win fair and square.

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Samuel

Oct 13, 2014 11:08pm

@kHAN PMLn is not even contesting. Did you see any jalsa. No

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Samuel

Oct 13, 2014 11:09pm

@Amin Ansari Now u beleve ECP that they are neutral. Now u should also accept ECPs statement that there was no mass scale or systematic rigging in 2013 elections.

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Samuel

Oct 13, 2014 11:10pm

@fakistan The PMLn government has played its part and highlighted security threat. Now its ECPs call. In case there is any mishap don't say nobody told you guys.

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Oct 13, 2014 11:36pm

For the sake of democracy, let the NA-149 poll be held in spite of the security concerns.

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Davis

Oct 14, 2014 05:40am

The last statement of the article said all. That is why Noon league is worried.

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Zubair

Oct 14, 2014 07:00am

Javed Hashmi Is the symbol of peaceful,neat , clean politics ,nourishing the rule of law and democracy ,cultivating the culture of civilised and ethical values.We love and respect you Hashmi Sahib.

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