GUJRAT: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is likely to field Rashid Basheer Virk, the scion of deceased MNA Chaudhary Mehmood Basheer Virk in the by-election to Gujranwala’s NA 77.

The five-time former MNA from Gujranwala, Basheer Virk died on Sept 11 last after a prolonged illness. With his death, NA 77 fell vacant.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has also announced schedule for the by-poll on Nov 8.

As per the ECP notification, the nomination papers to contest the by polls can be filed from Sept 28 to 30 with the office of returning officer in Gujranwala.

Local sources in the family of deceased MNA told Dawn that Mr Basheer Virk was survived by a son, two daughters who were settled in the United States of America and a widow.

They said the family has decided to field Rashid Basheer Virk as the senior party leadership conveyed the wish of the family.

A senior party leader from Gujranwala also told Dawn that as per the PML-N’s tradition, the family member of any deceased lawmaker was always given priority to contest the by-poll.

So keeping in view that tradition as well as the internal discussions withing the party ranks and file, Rashid Basheer Virk can be a top choice candidate for NA 77, he said and added that a formal announcement in this regard might be made by the party chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.

On the other hand no member of ruling Sharif family has so far visited the Gujranwala residence of deceased MNA and party loyalist Mehmood Basheer Virk to offer condolences to the bereaved family.

The Gujranwala region has been known as a strong bastion of the PML-N in central Punjab and the deceased MNA had won four consecutive general elections from 2008 to 2024 after being first elected as MNA in 1997 general elections.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2026