LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the by-elections in Punjab after anticipating its defeat. Addressing a press conference, she said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) “sweeping victory” reflects public rejection of empty narratives and a preference for performance-based governance.
Read More: PML-N ’emerges victorious’ on key seats in by–elections
Maryam Nawaz described election boycotts as a sign of frustration, citing that she and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had faced imprisonment but never abstained from elections. She questioned PTI’s selective participation, noting the party only contested NA-18 (Haripur) while boycotting other constituencies, and remarked that their claims of popularity had collapsed.
Congratulations to Maryam Nawaz Sharif and PML-N for securing a clear majority in the by-elections! Once again, her vision, courage and dedication to Pakistan have been affirmed by the people. She continues to prove that leadership rooted in service, dignity and hard work will… pic.twitter.com/0CVqbh6ATl
— Fayyaz (@FayyazCanada) November 24, 2025
“Their slogans cannot win votes; governance does,” she said, emphasising that electoral success comes from visible work on the ground rather than rhetoric. She added that PML-N has regained the seats it lost in the 2018 general elections, calling the by-election results historic for the party.
PMLN is sweeping these by-elections. This isn’t a win because of Nawaz Sharif or Shehbaz Sharif, it’s clearly a @MaryamNSharif wave. It’s a wave of development, prosperity & the restoration of Punjab’s dignity.
Winning former #PTI seats & dominating across the province shows… pic.twitter.com/RzBj79LXTL
— Taymur Malik (@BlueMist911) November 23, 2025
CM Maryam Nawaz leads PML-N to a clean sweep. @MaryamNSharif pic.twitter.com/xNpMSoBinF
— پاکستان کی چڑیا (@RealAdiiAslam) November 24, 2025
The by-elections were held for six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly seats, many of which became vacant following the disqualification of PTI lawmakers convicted over the May 9, 2023, riots. According to unofficial results, PML-N won six out of six National Assembly seats and six out of seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured PP-269 in Muzaffargarh.
Read More: High-stakes by–elections shape Pakistan’s political future
Maryam Nawaz further highlighted the contrast between PML-N’s performance-oriented approach and prior political disruptions, stating that Pakistan’s progress was derailed in 2018. She concluded by urging politicians to prioritise tangible results over narratives, insisting that public trust is earned through service and delivery, not slogans.
CM Maryam Nawaz expresses gratitude on PML-N’s impressive victory in the by-elections.
➡️She congratulates the successful National and Provincial Assembly members and extends her best wishes.
➡️Alhamdulillah once again, the people of Pakistan have honored those who serve the… pic.twitter.com/Q0Jg7EtrJB
— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 24, 2025