More than 561,000 voters across two Punjab Assembly constituencies of Mianwali and Sargodha are set to elect new representatives on November 23, 2025, in by-elections that appear to be uneventful races, with the PML-N facing a fragmented field of independent candidates and minor parties.

What prompted these by-elections?

PP-73 Sargodha-III and PP-87 Mianwali-III had lost their representation in the Punjab Assembly following the disqualification of the MPAs elected from these constituencies in the General Elections 2024. They were disqualified as a result of their conviction by Anti-Terrorism Courts in Faisalabad and Sargodha in connection with violent protests of May 9, 2023. Both MPAs were elected in 2024 as independents backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). They  were Ansar Iqbal, who was elected from PP-73 Sargodha-III with 58,242 (43 percent) of the polled votes, and Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, who got elected from PP-87 Mianwali-III with 107,278 (69 percent) of the polled votes.

What areas do these constituencies comprise?

PP-73 Sargodha-III is one of 10 provincial constituencies in the district, encompassing the town of Kot Momin and its adjoining areas, including Midh Ranjha and Bhabra.

PP-87 Mianwali-III is one of four provincial constituencies in Mianwali district. It covers the urban core of Mianwali city, stretching from the Municipal Committee to the district boundary towards Khushab, and includes the areas of Wan Bachran and Musakhel.

Who are the key contenders in these constituencies?

The Final List of Contesting Candidates (Form-33) shows a fragmented opposition to the PML-N in both constituencies.

In PP-73 Sargodha-III, the race features five candidates. PML-N has nominated Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha, the runner-up in the GE-2024, securing 35 percent of the votes in a highly competitive race. He benefits from a powerful political legacy as his father, Manazar Hussain Ranjha, has been elected MPA six times from Kot Momin constituency and served as Chairman District Council Sargodha twice. The remaining four independent candidates for the by-election did not contest the last general election in the constituency. They are Mahar Mohsin Raza, Muhammad Younas, Muhammad Haris, and Haq Nawaz Ranjha.

In PP-87 Mianwali-III, six candidates are in the fray. The PML-N has nominated Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi, while the Jamiat Ulma-e-Pakistan (Noorani) has put forward Muhammad Khalid Masood Khan. The rest are independents. They include Shehrbano Humair Niazi, Aftab Khan, Ayaz Khan Niazi, and Zubair Khan.

PML-N’s candidate Ali Haider Noor Khan Niazi ran in GE-2024 as an independent and secured just 302 votes. However, he was elected as MPA on the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) ticket in 2008, and has also served as Naib Nazim of the Tehsil Council previously. His political lineage includes an uncle, Col (Retd) Muhammad Nasim Khan Niazi, who was an MPA from 1988-90.

Ayaz Khan Niazi is a prominent independent candidate who could present a challenge to Ali Haider. He also hails from an established political family. His father, Abdul Razaq Niazi, served multiple terms as MPA from Khanewal, and his paternal aunt, Zakia Shah Nawaz, was a three-term MPA on reserved seats for women.

What has changed since GE-2024?

Since the GE-2024, the number of registered voters in PP-73 has increased from 266,297 to 277,970, an increase of four percent. Similarly, the registered voters in PP-87 has increased from 271,257 to 283,272, also an increase of four percent.

In PP-73, 163 polling stations will be set up, including 35 male, 34 female and 94 combined polling stations. A total of 193 polling stations will be  established in PP-87, including 41 male-only stations, as many female-only stations, and 111 combined polling stations.