SHEIKHUPURA: PML-N candidate Hassan Riaz has won the by-election to PP-162 with a big margin, according to the unofficial results.

In 2013 election, Khurram Gulfam was elected as MPA on PML-N ticket from the constituency, consisting of Narang Mandi and Ferozewala areas. The seat had fallen vacant after Gulfam’s death and PML-N awarded ticket to his nephew Hassan Riaz.

According to unofficial results, Mr Riaz secured 39,816 votes while his rival, PPP’s Usman Nisar Pannu ,reportedly supported by the PTI, JI and PML-Q, bagged 20,112 votes. Riaz won the election by lead of 19,704 votes.

Several incidents of firing into the air and scuffles between supporters of the rival candidates also took place due to which the voting process had to be suspended for some time.

After the results, supporters of the winning candidate again resorted to aerial firing at the outhouse of Hassan Riaz in which a man sustained bullet injuries.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took serious notice of the firing and ordered the administration and police to take action again the suspects.

Narang police arrested four people, identified as Waqas Sikandar, Mian Adil, Ghaffar and Irfan, on charge of restoring to jubilant firing.

The total registered votes in the constituency are 128,062 while polled votes as per unofficial results are 62,750, showing a turnout of 49pc.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014