RAWALPINDI, Dec 16: The returning officer (RO) for NA-56 constituency has accepted the nomination papers of 10 candidates contesting the by-elections, while one candidate has withdrawn his name.

The PML-Q nominee and nephew of federal information minister, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, has withdrawn his nomination papers in favour of his uncle, Sheikh Shakir Shafique, who is the brother of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

The ten candidates, who have submitted their papers are: Sardar Shaukat Hayat (PPP), Agha Riazul Islam (PPP), Rashid Naseem Abbasi (PPP), Mohammad Yousaf Mirza (PPP), Syed Zafar Ali Shah (PML-N), Raja Hanif Abbasi (PML-N), Mohammad Hanif Abbasi (MMA), Amir Mehmood Kiani (PTI), and Sheikh Shakir Shafique and Malik Naseer Ahmed (Independent).

Four of the candidates, earlier faced defeat in the October 10 general elections while contesting from either NA-55 or 56 constituency.

Rashid Nasim Abbasi was defeated by the MMA candidate, Fayazul Hasan Chohan, in PP-14.

Amir Mehmood Kiani (PTI), Syed Zafar Ali Shah PML-N), and Sardar Shaukat Hayat (PPP), were defeated by Sheikh Rashid in NA- 56 constituency. Sheikh Rashid also defeated Agha Riazul Islam in NA-55 constituency.

By-elections are scheduled on January 15 for NA-56 seat, which was vacated by the federal minister for information and media development, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.