A clean sweep in the recent by-elections has reshaped the political landscape of National Assembly, significantly boosting the position of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The party has now become the largest parliamentary force with 132 seats, ending its reliance on the PPP for a simple majority.
PML-N gains majority strength
Following the by-election victories, PML-N’s seat count in the 336-member National Assembly has risen to 132, solidifying its position as the leading political party in the lower house. A total of 169 members are required for a simple majority.
With support from its allied parties, the PML-N has now secured the backing of 170 members, enabling it to legislate more comfortably than before.
Reduced dependence on coalition partners
Before the by-elections, the PML-N relied heavily on the PPP to achieve the required majority in the House. The new electoral gains have eased that dependency, allowing the party greater independence in parliamentary decision-making.
Also Read: PML-N sweeps by-elections: Wins 12 of 13 seats nationwide
The strengthened numbers also mean that the PML-N can now advance key legislation through cooperation with smaller coalition partners rather than relying predominantly on the PPP.
Allies contributing to new power equation
The updated composition of the National Assembly, following the PML-N’s six-seat gain, includes:
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MQM: 22 seats
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PML-Q: 5 seats
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Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP): 4 seats
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PML-Z: 1 seat
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Balochistan Awami Party (BAP): 1 seat
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National Party: 1 seat
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Independent members supporting PML-N: 4
This coalition structure gives the PML-N a stable governing bloc exceeding the simple majority threshold.
With 74 PML-N members previously needing strong support from major allies, the latest results significantly reduce the influence of larger coalition partners.
Also Read: PML-N secures majority in by-elections
The party’s new dominance reshapes legislative dynamics and strengthens the government’s standing inside the National Assembly.
On Sunday, by-elections across 13 constituencies delivered a resounding victory for the PML-N, which secured 12 seats nationwide.
The party swept six National Assembly seats and won six out of seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, with only one seat going to the PPP. A major upset unfolded in NA-18 Haripur as PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan defeated a PTI-backed candidate.
PML-N sweeps National Assembly seats
PML-N achieved a clean sweep on all six National Assembly seats it contested. The biggest shock came from NA-18 Haripur, where Babar Nawaz Khan defeated PTI-backed Shehrnaz Umar Ayub, securing 163,996 votes against her 120,220 votes, marking a significant political upset.
In NA-96 Jaranwala, PML-N’s Bilal Badar Chaudhry won with 93,999 votes, while independent candidate Nawab Malik Sher Waseer followed with 43,025 votes.
From NA-143 Chichawatni, PML-N’s Chaudhry Tufail contested and secured victory, while independent candidate Zarar Akbar came in second.
In NA-129 Lahore, PML-N’s Hafiz Noman defeated independent candidate Arsalan Ahmed, strengthening the party’s position in Lahore.
Also Read: PML-N leads in 6 Punjab by-election seats
PML-N also triumphed in NA-185, where Sardar Mahmood Qadir Leghari defeated PPP candidate Dost Muhammad Khosa.
In NA-144, Raja Daniyal claimed victory with 52,791 votes, defeating opposition candidate Rana Adnan, who received 19,262 votes.
Strong PML-N performance in Punjab Assembly
The by-elections held for seven Punjab Assembly seats also heavily favoured the PML-N, which secured six out of seven constituencies, while the PPP won one seat.
In PP-203 Chichawatni, PML-N’s Hanif Jatt won with 46,820 votes, defeating independent candidate Falak Sher Dogar, who received 10,975 votes.
From PP-115 Faisalabad, PML-N’s Tahir Jamil won with 49,046 votes.
In PP-87 Mianwali, PML-N’s Ali Haider Noor secured victory with 67,870 votes, while independent candidate Ayaz Khan Niazi stood second.
In PP-116 Faisalabad, PML-N’s Rana Sheharyar defeated independent candidate Malik Asghar, securing 48,824 votes.
The only seat won by the PPP was PP-269 Muzaffargarh, where Alamdar Hussain triumphed with 55,611 votes, defeating independent candidate Iqbal Pitafi.
In PP-73 Sargodha, PML-N’s Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha won against independent candidate Haris Ranjha.
In PP-98 Faisalabad, PML-N-backed independent candidate Ali Tabassum was declared successful, adding yet another seat to the party’s strong provincial showing.
