Lahore is the capital city of Punjab province and the second-largest city in Pakistan. It is also a major political hub and a stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the main political party of PDM in the country. However, in recent years, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the opposition party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has made significant inroads in the city and challenged the PML-N’s dominance.
According to the latest republic policy data, the PTI has emerged as the most popular political party in the district. According to the Local Government Department of Punjab, Lahore has 274 union councils, which are the smallest administrative units in the city. Republic Policy has divided these union councils into nine zones for measuring the representative popularity of political parties, each with a different socio-economic profile and political inclination. The zones are:
- Zone 1: Inner City
- Zone 2: Northern Lahore
- Zone 3: Eastern Lahore
- Zone 4: Central Lahore
- Zone 5: South Lahore
- Zone 6: Western Lahore
- Zone 7: Posh-areas of Lahore
- Zone 8: Middle-Class areas of Lahore
- Zone 9: Rural Lahore
The PTI is quite strong in over 100 union councils of Posh Lahore and Middle-Class areas of Lahore, which are zones 7 and 8, respectively. These zones comprise the affluent and educated segments of the city, who are more likely to support the PTI’s agenda of anti-corruption, accountability, and reform. The PTI also has a loyal base of supporters among the youth, professionals, and civil society activists in these areas.
The PTI and the PML-N are in a close contest in over 60 union councils of Inner City and Northern Lahore, which are zones 1 and 2, respectively. These zones are the oldest and most densely populated parts of the city, where the PML-N has traditionally enjoyed a strong vote bank. However, the PTI has also managed to attract some voters from these areas, especially those who are dissatisfied with the PML-N’s performance, governance, and leadership. Furthermore, the youth of the area seem inclined towards PTI. The PTI has also capitalized on the popularity of some of its local candidates, who have a good reputation and rapport with the people.
The PML-N and the PTI are in a close contest in over 40 union councils of Eastern Lahore, which is zone 3. This zone is a mix of urban and rural areas, where the PML-N has a slight edge over the PTI. The PML-N has a loyal following among the farmers, traders, and industrialists in this zone, who benefit from the PML-N’s policies of development, infrastructure, and subsidies. The PTI, on the other hand, has tried to woo the voters in this zone by highlighting the issues of inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
The PTI has a slight edge in 74 union councils of Central, South, and Western Lahore, which are zones 4, 5, and 6, respectively. These zones are mostly suburban, peri-urban, and urban areas, especially south Lahore, where the PTI has a strong presence and network. The PTI has appealed to the voters in these zones by promising to improve the quality of life, education, health, and environment. The PTI has also gained support from some religious and ethnic minorities in these areas, who feel marginalized and discriminated by the PML-N.
The political situation in Lahore is dynamic and complex, and the outcome of the upcoming general elections, scheduled for February 8, 2024, will depend on various factors, such as the turnout, the campaign, the alliances, and the public opinion. The PTI and the PML-N are both confident of winning the majority of the seats in Lahore, but the final result will be determined by the voters, who will have the ultimate say in the fate of the city and the country. PTI is riding on a wave marked by sympathy and resistance, whereas PMLN is suffering from the setbacks of the PDM government and also abandoning the slogan of Vote ko Izzat Do.
