Several candidates withdrew their nomination papers as the deadline for withdrawing candidatures passed on Friday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which had given candidates until 9pm to withdraw their papers, is set to release the final lists of candidates tomorrow.

A notable development is the withdrawal of approximately 150 candidates from various constituencies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Among those who withdrew their nomination papers are prominent figures such as Sheikh Rasheed, Rashid Shafiq, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Raja Hasnain Khurram.

This significant shift in the candidate line-up is expected to reshape the electoral landscape in these key regions.

Specifically, Sheikh Rasheed withdrew his papers from NA 57 Rawalpindi, while Rashid Shafiq withdrew from NA 56 Rawalpindi.

Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry opted out of the race in NA 47 Islamabad.

The withdrawal of a total of 11 candidates from Constituency NA 48 in Islamabad, including Raja Hasnain Khurram, Yawar Abbas Gurdizi, and Chaudhry Khalid Munir Shamal, further underscores the dynamic changes in the election scenario.

Other notable withdrawals include Raja Zeeshan Naseeb, Naeem Raja, Saleh Khaqan, Malik Abdul Naveed Awan, Muhammad Aftab, and Adalat Hussain.

Karachi

In Karachi, the nomination papers of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif have been withdrawn from NA-202. Mustafa Kamal also withdrew his nomination papers from NA-247.

The withdrawal of papers by Khawaja Izharul Hasan from PS-124 and the return of MQM's Abdul Haseeb and Hanif Surti's papers add an intriguing twist to the unfolding narrative.

Meanwhile, MQM-P, PTI, JI, and TLP have finalized their candidates.