- Forms sent to the Electoral Commission for confirmation.
- Eight candidates earlier withdrew their nomination papers.
- The seat fell vacant after the disqualification of Ahmed Chattha.
GUJRANWALA: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Bilal Farooq Tarar was elected unopposed in the NA-66 by-election from Wazirabad, according to officials.
The returning officer confirmed on Saturday that Tarar’s victory notification has been issued and Form 34 has been sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for formal confirmation.
The returning officer said that initially 30 people had submitted nomination papers for the post.
However, eight candidates, including those from the Sunni Ittehad Council and the Pakistan People’s Party, withdrew their nominations, while the remaining candidates withdrew after the withdrawal period had passed.
The NA-66 seat fell vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan removed Punjab PTI chairman MNA Ahmed Chattha following his conviction in the May 9 riots.
Several PTI legislators, including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul and others, were convicted by anti-terrorism courts in several cases on May 9.
Thousands of supporters of PTI founder Imran Khan stormed public properties and military installations, including the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore, on May 9, 2023, in protest against the arrest of the former prime minister.
The riots, in which lives were lost, broke out after the PTI founder was detained in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises in a corruption case.
Several PTI leaders and workers were released on bail after their arrest, while many remain behind bars.
