Hina Arshad Warraich of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured a decisive victory in the PP-52 by-election in Sambrial, Sialkot, as per preliminary results released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday. However, the election outcome has sparked controversy, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleging widespread rigging.
The seat became vacant two months ago after the death of MPA Arshad Javed Warraich, Hina Warraich’s father. Political observers had predicted a tight race, primarily between PML-N and a PTI-backed independent candidate, with the PPP also running a competitive campaign.
According to Form-47 issued by the ECP and signed by Returning Officer Muhammad Iqbal, Warraich received 78,702 votes. Her closest rival, PTI-backed independent candidate Fakhir Nashat Ghumman, secured 39,018 votes. PPP’s Raheel Kamran Cheema followed with 6,832 votes, while TLP’s Muhammad Shafaqat received 4,851.
Polling was largely peaceful, though minor confrontations occurred between PTI workers and police. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqqas Akram alleged that polling agents were forcefully removed and accused the provincial government and police of meddling in the electoral process. He claimed the party possesses video evidence of the misconduct.
The ECP dismissed the allegations, with Provincial Election Commissioner Sharifullah stating that voting proceeded uninterrupted across all 185 polling stations. He said the commission would consider any complaints if formally submitted.
Security measures were tight, with containers placed outside the Returning Officer’s office—a move criticized by both PTI and PPP, who staged a sit-in. Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf joined the protest, claiming polling stations had been arbitrarily closed, warning that manipulating results would reflect poorly on the government.
Of the 297,185 registered voters in PP-52, turnout stood at 44.79%, with 133,096 votes cast and 130,837 deemed valid. The ECP had categorized 11 polling stations as highly sensitive, 38 as sensitive, and deployed nearly 1,700 election officials.
In her victory remarks, Warraich said: “This is the people’s win. They’ve chosen service over politics, and I will serve with full dedication.” She thanked Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her support, recalling her past role as Sialkot district council chairperson from 2016 to 2020.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Warraich, attributing the win to party unity and the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. “This win reaffirms the people’s trust in PML-N,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
CM Maryam Nawaz echoed the sentiment, saying the result validates PML-N’s policies. “The people of Sambrial have voted for progress, stability, and service. We will honor their trust with accelerated efforts,” she said.
