DERA GHAZI KHAN: Polling was underway for the by-election in Dera Ghazi Khan's PP-240 with the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) likely to win from the constituency.

PP-240 is a Qaisrani Baloch tribe-dominated constituency and is located on the boundary of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Chief of the tribe, Mir Badshah Qaisrani, has been the traditional and unbeatable contestant from the seat.

However, a woman candidate of the PML-N gave a tough time to her male opponents during electioneering for the seat in this tribal-cum-religious constituency for the by-elections.

Mir Badshah Qaisrani had been with the PML-N as an MPA most of his political career. After developing differences with the party high-ups, he joined the JUI-F and won the seat in general elections, but was later disqualified in a fake degree case.

After the JUI-F lost its lone seat in Punjab, the PML-N gave a ticket to Mir Badshah’s wife, Shamoona Ambreen Qaisrani, who was warmly welcomed by the constituents.

Speaking to Dawn earlier, tribal elder Mubashir Khan Qaisrani said Shamoona’s expected victory from this constituency would bring cultural tolerance in the area.

Her rival candidates included independent candidates Ejaz Khetran and Khawaja Daud. According to local political pundits, Shamoona Qaisrani would most likely emerge as the winner.