BAHAWALPUR: Electioneering for the NA-168 (Bahawalpur-V) by-election has [almost] entered its final phase, with a close contest expected between PML-N candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, brother of Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, and independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema, son of former federal minister and MNA Tariq Bashir Cheema.

The polling is scheduled for Sept 27, and the campaign is reaching its climax, with political parties, biradaris, particularly Jatts and Arians, and groups divided over their preferred candidates. However, the Pakistan Seraiki Party (PSP) leadership and workers have so far maintained silence over their electoral preference.

There is also a reported split within the PML-N ranks. Party activist Belal Baloch, who lost a legal battle against the Channar brothers, including proceedings before superior courts, has formed a splinter group and announced support for Mr Cheema.

Dawn has learnt that differences have also emerged within the PPP following its leadership’s decision to support the PML-N candidate. A group, led by Tatheerul Hassan alias Puppoo Bhai, is openly backing Mr Cheema. The PPP had decided not to field its own candidate and instead support Mr Channar, a decision that reportedly surprised some local leaders and workers.

Political parties, biradaris divided over candidates

The Puppoo group has opposed the decision and opted to support Mr Cheema, whose father, Tariq Bashir Cheema, has previously been associated with the PPP.

The PTI has announced a boycott of the by-election. Its 2024 election candidates, former MNA Samiullah Chaudhry and MPA Asghar Joyia, had reportedly sought permission from the party leadership to contest the by-election. According to sources, after the leadership decided against participation, some PTI activists allegedly reached an understanding with certain PML-N leaders on biradari lines, particularly among Arians, and were working for Mr Channar. A majority of PTI workers, however, were reportedly disappointed and remained away from the campaign.

The Jamaat-i-Islami has also announced a boycott and has not fielded a candidate. Its voters may, therefore, stay away from the polling process on Sept 27.

The JUI-F is also divided, with groups supporting both candidates. The basic membership of eight office-bearers supporting Mr Channar has reportedly been suspended after the JUI-F district leadership announced its support for Mr Cheema. Meanwhile, the JUI-Sami group and Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith leadership have announced support for Mr Channar.

It merits mentioning that linguistic and biradari affiliations have not entirely determined voters’ choices. Punjabi- and Seraiki-speaking voters, as well as Jatt, Arian and Abbasi groups, are reportedly divided between the two candidates.

A number of Punjabi-speaking voters are supporting the Seraiki-speaking PML-N candidate, while several prominent Seraiki-speaking figures are backing Mr Cheema. Local observers attribute the trend partly to Tariq Bashir Cheema’s contacts with Seraiki-speaking residents and to the late Malik Iqbal Channar’s relations with prominent Punjabi-speaking locals.

The Bahawalpur divisional and district administrations, along with police authorities, have almost finalised security arrangements for polling day (Sept 27).

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026