The Pakistan Muslim League‑N (PML‑N) held onto the NA‑168 seat in Bahawalpur on Thursday, as its candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar was declared the winner of the by‑election with 79,306 votes, according to the final count from all 292 polling stations.
Channar’s nearest rival, identified as Cheema, secured 42,623 votes, leaving the PML‑N candidate with a comfortable margin of over 36,000 votes. The unofficial tally, released after the last station reported, confirmed that the constituency’s electorate decisively favoured the ruling party’s nominee.
Voter turnout in the by‑poll was described as robust, reflecting strong grassroots backing for PML‑N in a region that has traditionally been a battleground for Punjab’s major parties. The result is being read as a positive signal for the party ahead of the national general elections slated for early 2027, where control of key southern Punjab seats could prove pivotal.
The NA‑168 constituency, which became vacant earlier this year, has been closely watched by political analysts because of its strategic location in Bahawalpur Division. Retaining the seat not only preserves PML‑N’s legislative strength but also reinforces its influence over local development projects and patronage networks that are crucial for mobilising voters in the upcoming electoral cycle.