Bilal Farooq Tarar. Photo (file)
LAHORE:
The PML-N secured victory in NA-66 after its candidate, the younger brother of Federal Information Minister Ata Tarar, was declared the unopposed winner.
Bilal Farooq Tarar, the PML-N candidate from NA-66, was declared elected unopposed on Saturday after all other candidates gradually withdrew from the race. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued Form 32 for this purpose.
It is pertinent to mention that the PTI had officially decided not to contest the elections, causing its candidate to withdraw. The PPP also withdrew in favor of the PML-N as part of a broader agreement on seat adjustment.
The only remaining party with the potential to attract a significant vote bank, the TLP, was effectively excluded by the Punjab government, with many of its leaders either on the run or behind bars. Although the ban was imposed for religious reasons, in practice it functioned as an all-encompassing restriction.
The TLP had won the third highest number of votes from this constituency in the previous election, and some political observers speculate that the crackdown on the party, following its attempt to hold a pro-Palestine rally, was aimed at eliminating a potential political rival in Punjab.
Even though the election became a one-horse race, challenges within the party remained a concern, with candidates denied tickets often competing as independents. However, this issue was also resolved. The seat, long associated with the Cheema family, which had represented the party in the last three elections, was allocated to Bilal Tarar to help the Tarar family build its political base.
Nisar Cheema was reportedly asked to support Bilal Tarar with promises of future rewards. Even if Cheema had decided to break ranks, sources suggest that he might not have been able to contest the elections.
On the other hand, in NA-96, Nawab Sher Waseer allegedly refused to retire in favor of Bilal Bader Chaudhry, brother of Minister of State for Home Affairs Talal Chaudhry. Police raids were allegedly carried out to pressure Waseer to resign, apparently on the instructions of the minister.
