Syed Ali Kasim Gilani, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate in the NA-148 Multan-I by-election, has secured a decisive victory over Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Barrister Taimur Altaf Mahay. According to The News, Gilani triumphed with a substantial margin in the election held on Sunday.
The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani. As per unofficial and unconfirmed results, Syed Ali Kasim Gilani received 89,097 votes, while Taimur Altaf Mahay garnered 53,572 votes, resulting in a loss for Mahay by 35,525 votes.
The election process was conducted in a peaceful environment with robust security measures in place. Despite police declaring 69 polling stations as “sensitive,” no untoward incidents were reported. Pakistan Army and Punjab Rangers personnel patrolled the sensitive polling stations throughout the day. CCTV cameras and walk-through gates were installed to monitor the situation.
However, polling staff reported a lack of basic facilities such as cold water and fans at the polling stations. Poll monitoring bodies observed an extremely low voter turnout, largely due to the scorching heat in Multan. Polling began at 8 am and concluded at 5 pm without any breaks.
The constituency, historically significant and previously known as NA-154 Multan-I in the 2018 election delimitations, was re-designated as NA-148 Multan-I for the February 8 elections. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the total number of registered voters in the constituency was 444,231. A total of 2,248 polling staff were appointed across the polling stations, with 2,555 police personnel ensuring security.
Kasim Gilani’s victory adds to the Gilani family’s unique political and parliamentary record, with all male members now present in the National Assembly, Punjab Assembly, and Senate. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the family patriarch and former Prime Minister, currently holds the office of Senate Chairman. Three of his sons have been elected to the National Assembly, and one serves in the Punjab Assembly.
Syed Ali Musa Gilani represents NA-151 Multan-4, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani holds NA-152 Multan-5, and Syed Ali Kasim Gilani now represents NA-148 Multan-1. Additionally, Syed Ali Haider Gilani serves as an MPA from PP-213 Multan-1.
