Four candidates are contesting a vacant Senate seat in Punjab today in a closely watched by-election. The candidates are Hafiz Abdul Kareem from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mehr Abdul Sattar from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and independents Khadija Siddiqui and Ijaz Minhas. The election, held in the Punjab Assembly, follows the vacancy created after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West bypoll, prompting discussions about potential replacements in the Upper House.
The Punjab Assembly, with 371 total seats, currently has 369 eligible voters due to two vacancies. A candidate needs at least 185 votes to win. The ruling coalition, led by PML-N and including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, and PML-Q, holds a strong majority with 261 votes—229 from PML-N, 16 from PPP, 11 from PML-Q, seven from IPP, and one from PML-Z. The opposition, including the Sunni Ittehad Council (76 votes), PTI (27 votes), and one each from Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, collectively commands 108 votes. This numerical advantage positions the PML-N candidate as a frontrunner, though political dynamics could influence the outcome.
Recent posts on X highlight public interest in the election, with some users speculating on the impact of voter turnout and coalition strategies. The contest reflects broader political trends in Punjab, where the ruling coalition’s dominance contrasts with PTI’s efforts to regain ground after recent electoral setbacks. Independent candidates like Khadija Siddiqui, a lawyer and activist, add intrigue, potentially drawing votes from those seeking alternatives to major party lines.
The by-election’s outcome will shape Punjab’s representation in the Rajya Sabha, India’s Upper House, which plays a key role in reviewing legislation. With Punjab’s political landscape marked by shifting alliances and voter sentiment, today’s vote is a significant moment for the state’s political players.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 21st, 2025
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