The general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024, in Pakistan are witnessing extensive preparations by the Election Commission, including the commencement of ballot paper printing. The delimitations of National Assembly constituencies reflect significant changes, yet familiar political figures dominate the landscape.
2024
Renowned PML-N candidate Khawaja Saad Rafiq is set to contest once more in NA-122 constituency of Lahore, having been elected as a member of the National Assembly three times from this area. Previously designated as NA-131 in the 2018 elections, the constituency underwent renumbering.
In the upcoming February 2024 elections, Sardar Latif Khosa, an independent candidate endorsed by PTI, will challenge Saad Rafiq's longstanding incumbency. Additionally, Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated Dr. Zeba Waqar as their candidate.
Campaign activities in Constituency NA-122 have intensified, with Khawaja Saad Rafiq leading his election campaign through corner meetings. Speculation suggests forthcoming visits by Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif to boost the campaign, coinciding with ongoing construction along Walton Road.
The constituency boasts a total of 345,763 voters, comprising 197,264 males and 148,499 females. With a total population of 953,104, NA-122 encompasses parts of Lahore's defense and cantonment areas.
2018
In the 2018 general elections, NA-131 constituency witnessed a fierce battle between Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and PML-N candidate Khawaja Saad Rafiq. Imran Khan secured victory with a narrow margin of 84,313 votes, defeating Saad Rafiq, who received 83,633 votes. Interestingly, Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) candidate Syed Murtaza Hasan and People's Party candidate Asim Mehmood also garnered significant votes, with 9,780 and 6,746 votes respectively.
Following Imran Khan’s decision to retain his seat in Mianwali, a by-election was conducted in NA-131 in October 2018. The PTI nominated Humayun Akhtar Khan, but Saad Rafiq emerged victorious with 60,476 votes, while Humayun secured 50,445 votes, marking another chapter in the constituency's electoral history.
2013
In the 2013 general elections, NA-125, as it was known then, witnessed a landslide victory for PML-N candidate Saad Rafiq, who secured 123,094 votes, defeating PTI’s Hamid Khan, who received 83,190 votes.
Allegations of rigging marred the 2013 elections, prompting PTI to stage a 126-day-long dharna. The controversy led to the Commission’s decision to conduct a re-election in NA-125 due to issues with voter verification. However, Saad Rafiq challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, which ultimately overturned the Election Commission's ruling, reaffirming Saad Rafiq's victory in the constituency.
2008
In the 2008 general elections, held after the end of Musharraf's dictatorship, Saad Rafique emerged victorious from the constituency with 70,752 votes on February 8, 2008. Muhammad Naveed Chaudhry of the People's Party secured the second position with 24,592 votes, while Humayun Akhtar Khan, representing the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) at that time, garnered only 13,702 votes.
2002
During the 2002 elections conducted under the supervision of dictator Pervez Musharraf, strict restrictions were imposed on political parties like the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as their leaders, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Nawaz Sharif, respectively, were in exile. The PPP, led by Amin Fahim, participated, while the Muslim League-N contested under the leadership of Javed Hashmi.
Additionally, the PML-Q, led by Mian Muhammad Azhar, emerged, signifying the evolving political landscape. In 2002, Musharraf's supported party, the PML-Q, formed the government with a significant majority, ushering in a new era. During these elections, Hamayun Akhtar Khan secured victory with 22,405 votes on the ticket of the PML-Q and became a member of the National Assembly from NA-125 constituency.
