Opposition Bounces Back İn Pakistan By-Elections

Pakistan's opposition bounced back in Sunday's crucial by-elections, capturing several seats from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, local media reported.



Initial results showed that the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) of three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, and the five-party religious alliance-Muttehida Majlis e Amal (MMA), are leading in at least three national assembly seats that were clinched by the PTI in the July 25 elections, which were marred by rigging allegations.



Two of these seats -- from northeastern Lahore and southwestern Bannu -- had been personally won by Prime Minister Imran Khan. After winning a historic five seats in July, Khan vacated all but one, as required by law.



Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who had been defeated by PTI candidates in the July elections, managed to win from a Lahore constituency with a lead of over 45,000 votes.



According to over 50 percent of votes counted, the ruling PTI and PML(N) were leading in four national seats each, while the Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid I Azam) and MMA were leading in two seats and one seat, respectively. -