ISLAMABAD, NOV 23 : Polling is underway today for by-elections on 13 key seats of the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly, with thousands of security personnel deployed across Punjab.

The contests—many triggered by the disqualification of PTI-backed candidates—have drawn intense political attention, particularly in Lahore’s NA-129 and Haripur’s NA-18.

Polling opened at 8am and will continue until 5pm, with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) overseeing the process under a reinforced security plan.

Most seats were vacated after PTI-backed members were disqualified following their conviction in the May 9, 2023 incidents that erupted after former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest.

The National Assembly seats where voting is underway include NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-104 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore, NA-143 Sahiwal, and NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan.

Punjab Assembly by-elections are being held in PP-79 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98 Faisalabad, PP-115 Faisalabad, PP-116 Faisalabad, PP-203 Sahiwal, and PP-269 Muzaffargarh.

Heavy security deployment across Punjab

More than 20,000 police personnel have been deployed on national and provincial constituencies to maintain order.

According to the ECP’s code of conduct, armed forces personnel have also been stationed outside polling stations declared “highly sensitive”, while remaining troops are on standby as a third-tier response force.

Security officials have been directed to ensure a safe and neutral environment, prevent violence, and allow voters to enter freely—except in cases involving weapons, explosives, or security risks.

Key political contests

NA-129 Lahore

NA-129 gained significance again after the death of former MNA Mian Muhammad Azhar, who won the seat on a PTI ticket. PML-N has fielded seasoned political organizer Hafiz Noman, while Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmed, the late Mian Azhar’s nephew and a PTI-backed independent, is running a strong campaign.

A tight contest is expected between PML-N and PTI-backed forces, making this one of the most closely watched constituencies.

NA-18 Haripur: Ayub family vs PML-N

This seat fell vacant after former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan was disqualified following a conviction in a May 9 case.

His wife, Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, is contesting her first election and faces PML-N candidate Babar Nawaz Khan, who previously held the seat. The Ayub family’s strong local influence suggests a tough fight.

NA-96 Faisalabad

The seat became vacant after Rai Haider Ali Khan was disqualified post-May 9 conviction. PML-N has nominated Bilal Badar Chaudhry, brother of Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.

Independent candidate Nawab Sher Wasir is a key contender, while Talal Chaudhry was fined today by the ECP for violating the election code of conduct.

NA-104 Faisalabad

This constituency fell vacant after Sahibzada Hamid Raza, elected as an independent and chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), was sentenced to 10 years in a May 9 case.

PML-N has fielded young lawyer Daniyal Ahmed, son of former opposition leader Raja Riaz. He is facing three independent candidates, while SIC and PTI workers remain active in the constituency.

NA-143 Sahiwal

This seat also became vacant after the conviction and disqualification of PTI-backed Rai Hassan Nawaz.

NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan

Former federal minister Zartaj Gul was disqualified after her conviction in a May 9 case, leaving the seat vacant.

PML-N has nominated Mehmood Qadir Khan Leghari from the influential Leghari family, making this another significant local political contest in South Punjab.

Provincial Assembly seats also being decided

By-elections are simultaneously being held in seven Punjab Assembly constituencies:

PP-79 Sargodha

PP-87 Mianwali

PP-98 Faisalabad

PP-115 Faisalabad

PP-116 Faisalabad

PP-203 Sahiwal

PP-269 Muzaffargarh

PML-N has fielded strong candidates in most constituencies, while PTI and SIC-backed independent candidates are also in the race. PTI, however, has boycotted elections on provincial seats in some areas.

These by-elections are expected to influence the political balance at both the national and provincial levels, especially where PML-N faces PTI-backed independents.

The results—particularly from Lahore and Haripur—may shape the narrative around party popularity ahead of future political developments.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 22: A coalition of six opposition parties, under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), on Saturday demanded an investigation into alleged economic irregularities highlighted in a recent International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) report

Addressing a press conference along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Taimur Khan Jhagra, former Sindh governor criticised the incumbent government for failing to issue any clarification more than 48 hours after the IMF’s report surfaced.

“The government representatives had not denied or responded to the IMF’s findings despite repeated calls,” he said, questioning why the administration “kept the IMF report hidden for three months” when, according to him, “the IMF had made the release of the report a condition for receiving the next tranche.”

The IMF, in its long-awaited Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA), warned that persistent corruption and weak institutions continue to undermine the country’s economic development even as it stabilises under an Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The report, publication of which is a precondition for the IMF executive board’s approval of a $1.2 billion disbursement next month, estimated that Pakistan could boost economic growth by about 5% to 6.5% over five years if it implements a package of governance reforms beginning within the next three to six months.

The GCDA seeks an end to special treatment for a few influential public sector entities in direct government contracts.

It also recommends tighter limits on the government’s financial powers without greater parliamentary oversight and streamlining of anti-corruption agencies. The government had been delaying the publication of the report since August.

Speaking to journalists today, Zubair — who left the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — said the opposition was formally seeking a probe into the “irregularities documented in the report”, adding that the public was already suffering under the burden of inflation.

Zubair also reiterated his criticism of cases lodged against the PTI founder Imran Khan, terming them “false, fabricated and baseless”.

For his part, Jhagra said the IMF had explicitly raised concerns about corruption and political interference in Pakistan’s institutions.

“The IMF is saying there is corruption in Pakistan,” he remarked. “It [IMF] says institutional performance comes under political pressure.” He added that investors were hesitant because “judicial institutions are perceived as corrupt” and that such an environment discouraged investment.

Jhagra said the report, dated November 2025, pointed out that Pakistan’s “transfer culture” functioned as a form of punishment within the system. He emphasised that accountability for all was essential, noting that “no one in the world enjoys lifelong immunity.”

He further noted that the IMF did not directly comment on the SIFC but consistently demanded transparency in the country’s governance mechanisms.

“In such conditions, no investor will come to Pakistan,” he said, adding that the country needed a transparent system and broad accountability to restore trust.

New Delhi, NOV 22: The man who attacked New Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has given a bizarre reason for his actions. According to Indian media reports, the accused, Rajesh Khumji, told police in his statement that he had seen a dream in which a dog was sitting beside an idol of a deity and told him that dogs in Delhi were in distress.

The report added that Additional Sessions Judge Ekta Gopaman will hear the case on November 22 in the Tis Hazari Sessions Court, where police have already submitted their charge sheet.

The charge sheet states that Rajesh Khumji had watched several videos on Facebook in which people were protesting and blaming Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for issues related to stray dogs.

Police also revealed that in May this year, Khumji had held a hunger strike in Ayodhya over the issue of monkeys. Delhi Police submitted a 400-page charge sheet on October 18, 2025.

Delhi Police have charged Rajesh Khumji and co-accused Tahseen Syed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempted murder, obstruction of public duty, and criminal conspiracy.

According to the report, charges against Khumji were based on his anger over the Chief Minister’s stance on a Supreme Court ruling regarding stray dogs.

It is worth noting that on August 11, the Supreme Court ordered stray dogs to be moved to shelters, a decision supported by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Police allege that Khumji was upset with her support for the ruling and attacked Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing on August 20.

BRUSSELS, NOV 22 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eri Arfiya, on the sidelines of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum on Friday.

During the informal interaction, the two officials discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between their countries. Senator Dar underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Japan across diverse and mutually beneficial areas.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce diplomatic ties and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration, reflecting the positive momentum in Pakistan-Japan relations.