MUZAFFARGARH: Muhammad Iqbal Khan, a candidate for the PP-269 by-poll, who was injured in an accident on Thursday, passed away at Nishtar Hospital in Multan on Saturday.

However, Returning Officer (RO) of the PP-269 by-poll Nasir Shahzad Dogar stated that the candidate’s death would not affect the polling scheduled for May 18 in Muzaffargarh.

The seat became vacant following the abrupt resignation of PPP candidate Alamdar Abbas Qureshi, who, in an attempt to avoid a recount of balloting papers on the application of runner-up candidate Iqbal Pitafi, tendered his resignation.

Candidate Iqbal was seriously injured in an accident on the Muzaffargarh-Dera Ghazi Khan Road on May 2.

Sources said the deceased had submitted an application for the withdrawal of his nomination papers on May 1.

According to the RO, 18 candidates are contesting the elections, with PPP again fielding Alamdar Qureshi and SIC-PTI candidate being Mr Pitafi. The PML-N is supporting the PPP candidate.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2024