DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is facing a challenging situation in Dera Ghazi Khan as the party has multiple contenders for its ticket for the upcoming by-election in NA-185. Other political parties are also looking to secure the seat for themselves.

The seat fell vacant following the disqualification of PTI MNA Zartaj Gul by the Election Commission of Pakistan after her conviction in a May 9 case.

PML-N head Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have been holding consultation meetings with the aspirants. They met Leghari group’s MPA Mahmood Qadir Leghari on Saturday.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Leghari said in the meeting he discussed the issues and the prevailing position of the party in the trans-Indus districts.

He also confirmed that on the direction of the party leadership, he had applied for the ticket for NA-185. However, according to residents and voters, he neglected the affairs of his provincial constituency, remained absent from the area, and failed to attend assembly sessions.

The situation is further complicated by the presence of multiple factions within the PML-N in Dera Ghazi Khan, resulting in many contenders seeking the party ticket.

Among the aspirants is Federal Minister Huzaifa Rahman, who expressed his eagerness on social media to contest the by-election on PML-N ticket. He, however, said that he would accept any decision made by the party.

Osama Abdul Karim, son of Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, also declared his intention to secure the party’s nomination, stating that he considered himself a suitable and capable candidate for the seat.

Business tycoon Dr Shafique Pitafi, brother of PML-N MPA Hanif Pitafi, confirmed that he too is in the race, though he would step back if the party decided otherwise. Sources close to Aleem Shah of PML-N also confirmed that he would contest independently if denied the party ticket. Local traders association district president Sheikh Naqeeb is also an aspirant for the PML-N ticket.

The party suffered a crushing defeat against PTI’s Zartaj Gul from the constituency in the 2024 general election. With nearly 60 per cent of registered voters in NA-185 belonging to the youth, PML-N is working to devise a foolproof electoral strategy.

In the last two elections, independent candidates were able to attract the youth vote, eventually joining mainstream parties after their victories. Hanif Pitafi contested both of his elections as an independent candidate. After his first victory, he joined the PTI and in the next election he again ran as an independent candidate. This time, he joined the PML-N after his victory.

In this by-election, PML-N is also facing JUI’s Abdul Salam Nasir.

Meanwhile, office-bearers of PML-N have protested for being ignored by the party’s local parliamentarians as well as the divisional and district administration.

Their protest surfaced in a viral video of a meeting where they demanded that party supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif take notice of their exclusion, particularly during the August 14 celebrations.

They warned that consistent disregard for party office-bearers in South Punjab would further weaken the party’s already fragile position in the region.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025