In a resounding upset, veteran political figure Jahangir Tareen faced defeat in the recent elections held in Lodhran. The electorate expressed their preferences, leading to victories for Siddique Baloch and his son in both the National and Provincial Assemblies, while independent candidates endorsed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured wins in four seats.
The battleground for the National Assembly Constituency NA 154 witnessed a fierce clash between former Federal Minister of State representing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Abdul Rehman Kanju, and PTI-backed independent candidate Rana Faraz Noon. Ultimately, Noon clinched victory with 134,937 votes, leaving Kanju trailing with 128,438 votes. The voter turnout stood at a notable 53.8 percent.
Meanwhile, in NA-155, PML-N’s Siddique Baloch emerged triumphant over Jahangir Tareen, securing 117,671 votes compared to Tareen’s 71,128 votes. Independent candidate Rao Qasim garnered 53,174 votes, with the constituency witnessing a voter turnout of 53.08 percent.
Shifting focus to the Provincial Assembly contests, PP-225 saw a showdown between PTI-backed independent candidate Shazia Hayatullah Tareen and PML-N’s Zawwar Hussain Waraich. Tareen secured victory with 69,799 votes against Waraich’s 62,698 votes, with a robust voter turnout of 57.77 percent.
Similarly, in PP-226, the electoral battlefield featured a duel between PTI-backed independent candidate Nawab Raziullah Khan and PML-N’s Shah Muhammad Joyia. Khan emerged victorious with 65,434 votes over Joya’s 60,133 votes, with the voter turnout recorded at 51.95 percent.
In PP-227, PML-N’s Zubair Khan Baloch clinched victory with 55,324 votes, defeating PTI-backed independent candidate Nawab Amanullah Khan and Stability Pakistan Party’s Mehr Ashraf Sial. Amanullah Khan garnered 36,734 votes, while Sial trailed with 18,996 votes, with a voter turnout of 50.39 percent.
Lastly, in PP-228, PTI-backed independent candidate Captain Izzat Javed emerged triumphant with 62,431 votes, defeating PML-N’s Zubair Baloch and Istehkam e Pakistan Party’s Nazir Khan Baloch. Baloch secured 43,439 votes, while Nazir Khan Baloch garnered 28,600 votes, with a voter turnout of 55.32 percent.
These election results mark a significant shift in Lodhran’s political landscape, signaling a notable setback for Jahangir Tareen and a considerable resurgence for Siddique Baloch and PTI-backed candidates.
