BAHAWALPUR, Sept 5: PPP MNA-elect Khadija Aamir Warren has thanked Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leaders for helping her defeat the PML-N candidate in a by-election for NA-184.

In a statement, Ms Warren, wife of the Aamir Yar Warren, thanked PML-Q leader Tariq Basheer Cheema who persuaded his party candidate Khalid Warren to withdraw in favour of the PPP candidate.

According to unofficial results, Ms Warren secured 74,754 votes while PML-N's Najeeb Awaisi got 48,776. The huge defeat margin proved wrong the estimates of the political observers who had foreseen a close fight.

PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi last month visited the constituency and addressed a huge public gathering for his candidate Mr Warren.

Other than the withdrawal of PML-Q candidate, the other factors luring voters for Ms Warren are the visit of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to the constituency and announcements of gas supply projects for the rural areas of Khanqah Sharif, Musafirkhana and Mubarikpur.—Correspondent