JHANG: Independent candidate Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi won the by-election of Jhang, beating his PML-N rival on Thursday. Masroor is the son of slain anti-Shia cleric Haq Nawaz Jhangvi. According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, Jhangvi who was backed by Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) bagged 48,562 votes. Surprisingly, PML-N candidate Azad Nasir Ansari secured 35,468 votes.
The Punjab Assembly’s constituency had fallen vacant after the Supreme Court disqualified PML-N lawmaker Rashida Yaqoob for concealing her assets. The Election Commission of Pakistan handed over security to the Pakistan Army and rangers and the election material was delivered under strict supervision and security. Twenty five candidates contested for the seat.