PML-N’s Hina Arshad wins the PP-52 Sialkot by-election with 78K votes, beating PTI’s Fakhir Ghumman amid outfit claims and a strong attendance.
Hina Arshad Wins PP-52 By-Election:
Hina Arshad Warraich, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate, became victorious in the PP-52 by-election in Sialkot on Sunday, marking a momentous political occasion. According to unofficial results from all 185 voting places, she easily defeated Fakhir Nishat Ghumman, her primary opponent from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Let’s examine the election’s salient features, the politicians’ responses, and the implications for Punjab’s political future.
Hina Arshad’s Success:
According to media reports, including 24NewsHD TV, Hina Arshad received 78,419 votes, while Fakhir Nishat Ghumman of PTI managed to get 40,037 votes. This is suitable that Hina won by a margin of more than 38,000 votes, which is the standard margin in any election at the provincial level. Hina Arshad’s father, Chaudhry Arshad Javed Warraich, a PML-N leader, had previously occupied the position. His unfortunate death led to a by-election in this important country of PP-52 (Sialkot-IX).
Strong Support from Voters:
There are 157,725 men and 139,460 women among the 297,185 registered voters in this country. A sizable number of voters turned up to vote in spite of worries about low turnout. Without a break, the polling was conducted from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. There were 14 candidates running in this by-election, including independents and representatives of the PPP, TLP, and Pakistan Nazriyati Party.However, the real event was between the PML-N and the PTI.
Election Monitoring and Security Arrangements:
To ensure a peaceful survey, the Punjab Election Commission set up a control room for check. There were 185 polling stations in total, categorized into:
- 11 highly sensitive
- 38 sensitive
- 136 normal
Around 1,696 polling staff were positioned to conduct the election. Security arrangements were strict, especially at carefull locations, to prevent any disturbance.
Claims of Cheating in Vote:
Soon after the results were announced, evidence of vote outfit started spreading on social media. Supporters of PTI and some independent observers claimed that abnormalities were reported at several polling stations. However, no official complaint has been filed by the PTI up till now, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not issued any statement confirming any rigging. PML-N, on the other hand, denied all allegations and termed the victory as a fair reflection of people’s choices.
Reactions from Government Leaders:
Following the announcement of her win, many senior leaders from PML-N and the federal government congratulated Hina Arshad on her success.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was thankful to the people of Sialkot for trusting the party once again. He congratulated Hina and appreciated her father’s legacy.
- According to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the people’s confidence in the government’s development plan is demonstrated by their support in this by-election.
- Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister, also congratulated Hina and described her victory as a “sign of political maturity of the people.”
Who Is Hina Arshad Warraich?
The late Chaudhry Arshad Javed Warraich, a well-liked member of the PML-N who held several terms in the Punjab Assembly, is the father of Hina Arshad Warraich. Following the death of her father, Hina entered politics and was granted the party ticket to run from PP-52.
She is well-educated, belongs to a known political family in Sialkot, and is seen as a young and emerging face of PML-N in Punjab. Her win also reflects the support vote, as many people in the area respected her father and wanted to continue his political gift.
PTI Loses Seat in Sialkot:
This outcome is viewed as a significant blow to PTI, which was hoping to make up ground after encountering difficulties in the last few months. Although Fakhir Nishat Ghumman, the PTI’s candidate, had considerable local clout, it was insufficient to weaken the PML-N’s impact in the area. This defeated PTI’s already existing political problems, particularly in light of the party’s internal divisions, legal woes, and leadership problems after Imran Khan’s arrest and other court activities.
Hina’s win in PP-52 boosts the PML-N’s spirits, particularly in Punjab. With Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister and Maryam Nawaz as Chief Minister, the party is attempting to regain support in Punjab’s rural and urban districts.
This success shows that the PML-N continues to enjoy high voter support, particularly in more established regions like Sialkot. Additionally, it conveys the message that female candidates are capable of succeeding, particularly when supported by a robust party and local network.
Impact on Punjab’s Political Future:
With this by-election result, the political map of Punjab is becoming clearer. PML-N seems to be recovering its strength while PPP is still struggling to gain friction in central Punjab. PTI is still a force but is facing increasing difficulties due to legal restrictions and political pressure. The people of Punjab, especially in areas like Sialkot, are still choosing experienced parties over new experiments. This could shape the outcome of the next general elections.
Final Thoughts:
The PP-52 by-election is more than just a local win for PML-N. It shows the party’s strength, the importance of political legacy, and the power of organized campaigns. Despite rigging allegations, Hina Arshad’s huge margin shows that voters came out with purpose.
As Punjab prepares for the next big political moves, this win will help PML-N strengthen its position, while PTI will need to go back to the drawing board. Hina Arshad’s entry into active politics is just the beginning. The people of Sialkot have trusted her, and now all eyes will be on how she performs as their new representative in the Punjab Assembly.
