LAHORE: By-elections on a vacant Senate seat in Punjab will take place today, with four candidates vying for the position.

The candidates include Hafiz Abdul Kareem from the PML-N, Mehr Abdul Sattar — a former Okara tenants’ leader — from the PTI, and Khadija Siddiqui and Ijaz Minhas as independent candidates.

The Punjab Assembly has a total of 371 seats, with two currently vacant. This means 369 votes will be available for the Senate election. To secure victory, a candidate must obtain at least 185 votes (184.5 to be exact).

However, the ruling coalition, comprising the PML-N, PPP, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, and the PML-Q, holds a clear majority.

It currently commands the support of 261 votes, comprising 229 from the PML-N, 16 from the PPP, 11 from the PML-Q, seven from the IPP, and one from the PML-Z.

In contrast, the opposition alliance holds a total of 108 votes, with 76 from the Sunni Ittehad Council, 27 from the PTI, and one each from the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pak­istan and the Majlis Wahdat-i-Musli­meen.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2025