Sialkot, June 1, 2025: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is leading in the Punjab Assembly’s PP-52 Sambrial by-election, with its candidate Hina Arshad Warraich ahead by a significant margin, according to unofficial and incomplete results.
As per the latest count from 150 out of 185 polling stations, Hina Arshad Warraich has secured 61,393 votes, while Fakhir Nishat Ghuman, an independent candidate backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has garnered 32,030 votes, placing him in second position.
The by-election saw high voter turnout and activity throughout the day, accompanied by heated confrontations and chanting between rival party supporters. Accusations of electoral rigging were repeatedly raised during the voting process.
PTI workers staged a protest at Sambrial Chowk against the blockade of access to the Returning Officer’s office, allegedly using shipping containers. Senior PTI leader Rehana Dar also participated in the demonstration.
Both the PTI and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) accused the ruling party of orchestrating vote fraud. Former National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf warned that any tampering with the results would be “regrettable,” urging the PML-N to refrain from such actions over a single seat.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram reiterated claims that party polling agents were forcibly expelled from stations and subjected to violence.
Adding a cultural twist, several candidates arranged elaborate breakfasts for voters, offering traditional items like naan, chholay, paye, and chilled lassi to energize constituents ahead of voting.
Responding to PTI’s allegations, Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb dismissed the claims, saying, “The PTI circus is back in town, and the desperation of the defeated is showing.” Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari took aim at PPP, stating, “Even a party securing only 400 votes is crying foul over rigging.” She also criticized the PTI founder for using terms like “deal” and “NRO” as political tools, suggesting that he himself is now seeking such arrangements.
The PP-52 seat was left vacant after the passing of PML-N MPA Arshad Warraich. His widow, Hina Arshad Warraich, contested the by-election against PTI-backed Fakhir Nishat Ghuman and PPP’s Raheel Kamran Cheema.
Authorities had declared 38 polling stations as sensitive and 11 as highly sensitive in the constituency, where the total number of registered voters is 297,185, including 157,725 men and 139,460 women.
