The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) was left red-faced in the PP-48 Bhakkar by-elections the other day, even though firebrand cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri had himself spearheaded the campaign for party’s candidate, Nazar Abbas.
The seat was retained by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz who was supporting Inamullah Khan Niazi, an independent candidate.
Punjab Assembly seat PP-48 had fallen vacant after PML-N’s Najeebullah Khan Niazi passed away. Niazi was also a cousin of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan.
PML-N backed Inamullah Khan Niazi won by-elections after securing 47,593 votes.
Niazi, who is Najeebullah’s elder brother, narrowly secured victory as the runner up, independent candidate Ahmed Nawaz Nawani lost with 47,013 votes.
PAT’s candidate Nazar Abbas was bottom with just 13,582 votes.
Pakistan Peoples Party had boycotted elections in the constituency.