ISLAMABAD: A clean sweep in the recent by-elections has reshaped the National Assembly, strengthening the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The party has emerged as the largest bloc with 132 seats, ending its dependence on the PPP for a simple majority.
PML-N emerges single largest party
The by-elections increased PML-N’s tally in the 336-member National Assembly to 132. A simple majority requires 169 members. With its allied parties, the PML-N now commands the support of 170 lawmakers. The new numbers give the party more room to legislate.
Reduced reliance on allies
Before the by-elections, the PML-N relied heavily on the PPP to cross the majority mark. The fresh gains have eased that reliance and given the party more independence in parliamentary decisions. The stronger position also allows the PML-N to advance legislation with the help of smaller coalition partners instead of depending mainly on the PPP.
Allies bolster new power balance
The updated National Assembly composition—after PML-N’s six-seat gain—includes:
• MQM: 22 seats
• PML-Q: 5
• Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party: 4
• PML-Z: 1
• BAP: 1
• National Party: 1
• Independents backing PML-N: 4
This alliance gives the PML-N a stable bloc above the simple majority threshold. With 74 members previously needing strong backing from major partners, the new results reduce the leverage of larger allies. The expanded numbers shift the legislative balance and strengthen the government’s position.
PML-N sweeps by-elections
By-elections in 13 constituencies on Sunday delivered a major victory for the PML-N. The party won 12 seats nationwide. It swept all six National Assembly seats and secured six of seven Punjab Assembly seats. The PPP won only one seat.
The biggest upset came in NA-18 Haripur, where PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan defeated a PTI-backed candidate.
National Assembly results
The PML-N won all six National Assembly seats it contested. In NA-18 Haripur, Babar Nawaz Khan secured 163,996 votes. PTI-backed Shehrnaz Umar Ayub received 120,220 votes.
In NA-96 Jaranwala, Bilal Badar Chaudhry won with 93,999 votes. Independent candidate Nawab Malik Sher Waseer followed with 43,025 votes.
In NA-143 Chichawatni, Chaudhry Tufail secured victory, and independent candidate Zarar Akbar came second.
In NA-129 Lahore, Hafiz Noman defeated independent candidate Arsalan Ahmed.
In NA-185, Sardar Mahmood Qadir Leghari beat PPP’s Dost Muhammad Khosa.
In NA-144, Raja Daniyal won with 52,791 votes. Opponent Rana Adnan received 19,262.
Punjab Assembly results
The PML-N also performed strongly in the Punjab Assembly by-elections. It won six of seven seats. The PPP secured one.
In PP-203 Chichawatni, Hanif Jatt won with 46,820 votes. Independent Falak Sher Dogar received 10,975.
In PP-115 Faisalabad, Tahir Jamil won with 49,046 votes.
In PP-87 Mianwali, Ali Haider Noor secured 67,870 votes. Independent Ayaz Khan Niazi placed second.
In PP-116 Faisalabad, Rana Sheharyar won with 48,824 votes.
The PPP claimed PP-269 Muzaffargarh, where Alamdar Hussain won with 55,611 votes. Independent Iqbal Pitafi finished second.
In PP-73 Sargodha, Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha defeated independent Haris Ranjha.
In PP-98 Faisalabad, PML-N-backed independent Ali Tabassum was declared the winner.
