The PTI’s first wicket falls as Waseem Qadir joins PMLN
The political landscape of Pakistan has been shaken by the recent defection of Waseem Qadir, the independent candidate who won the NA-121 Lahore-V seat with the support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Qadir announced his decision to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday, after meeting with the party’s chief organiser Maryam Nawaz1.
Qadir’s move is a major blow to the PTI, which emerged as the largest single party in the February 8 elections, but fell short of a clear majority in the National Assembly. The PTI was hoping to form a coalition government with the help of independent candidates and smaller parties, but Qadir’s defection has reduced its chances of securing the required 169 seats.
Qadir, who was the PTI’s Lahore secretary-general before contesting as an independent, claimed that he rejoined the PML-N for the sake of the development of his constituency and his people1. He said that he had returned to his “home”, implying that he was unhappy with the PTI’s policies and performance. He also expressed his confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, who are facing corruption charges and legal battles.
The PML-N, on the other hand, has welcomed Qadir’s decision and hailed it as a sign of the party’s popularity and strength. The PML-N, which secured 79 seats in the elections, is the second-largest party in the parliament and has been trying to woo independent candidates and allies to form a government. The PML-N has also been in talks with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which won 54 seats and has a strong presence in Sindh province2.
The NA-121 Lahore-V constituency, which covers the areas of Gulberg, Model Town, Garden Town, Faisal Town, and Johar Town, is considered a stronghold of the PML-N. The party had won the seat in the 2018 elections with a margin of over 30,000 votes, but lost it to Qadir in 2024 by a margin of over 8,000 votes3. Qadir’s victory was seen as a surprise and a setback for the PML-N, which had fielded Sheikh Rohail Asghar, a veteran politician and former minister, as its candidate.
The NA-121 election result was also controversial, as the PML-N and other opposition parties alleged that the PTI had rigged the polls and manipulated the results. They claimed that the PTI had used its influence and resources to coerce and bribe the voters and the election staff. They also accused the PTI of violating the code of conduct and campaigning till the last minute4.
The PTI, however, rejected these allegations and maintained that the elections were free and fair. The PTI said that the people of Lahore had rejected the PML-N’s corruption and misrule and voted for change and development. The PTI also said that Qadir’s defection was a personal decision and did not reflect the party’s position or popularity5.
The NA-121 election and its aftermath have exposed the fragility and uncertainty of Pakistan’s political system, which is marred by instability, polarization, and mistrust. The PTI and the PML-N are locked in a bitter rivalry, which has implications for the country’s governance, economy, and foreign relations. The fate of the next government and the prime ministerial candidate hangs in the balance, as the coalition talks and the horse-trading continue. The role of the independent candidates and the smaller parties, such as the PPP, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), is crucial in determining the outcome of the political deadlock.
The NA-121 election and its aftermath have also raised questions about the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, which is often plagued by allegations of rigging, violence, and irregularities. The need for electoral reforms and accountability is evident, as the people of Pakistan deserve a fair and democratic system that reflects their aspirations and choices.
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