PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday released the final list of candidates contesting the by-election for a seat for women in the Senate from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the list issued by provincial election commissioner Saeed Gul, who is the returning officer, nine candidates are in the run.

The by-election is scheduled to be held on July 31 on the seat vacated by Dr Sania Nishtar of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

PTI has nominated Mashal Azam as its candidate, who is contesting the election as independent candidate. Other PTI-backed independent candidates include Sajida Begum, Sumaira Shams, Saima Khalid, Momina Basit and Mahtab Zafar.

The opposition parties have also fielded their candidates, including Sobia Shahid by PML-N, Raheela Bibi by PPP-P, and Shazia by JUI-P (Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan).

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2025