In the unfolding story of the General Election 2024, independent candidates are emerging prominently, outshining major political entities such as PML-N and PPP. The latest updates from the Election Commission reveal that a significant number of these candidates, running for both national and provincial assembly seats, have succeeded.
There’s a common misconception that all independent candidates fall under the umbrella of Imran Khan’s PTI. This assumption has been debunked, as not every independent candidate has ties to PTI.
This confusion arose when PTI, losing its emblematic bat symbol, endorsed independent candidates who then had to adopt various lesser-known symbols for their campaigns. While PTI announced its support for a roster of independent runners, not all independents have PTI’s backing.
Independent Voices: Candidates Without PTI Affiliation
Among the multitude of candidates, a few have distinctly set themselves apart from PTI’s support:
| Candidate Name | Constituency | Affiliation Before Contesting | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Khurram Shehzad | NA-48 | Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party | Contested independently, not affiliated with PTI |
| Aqeel Malik | NA-54 | PML-N | Ran independently after not receiving a party ticket |
| Rashid Akbar Khan | NA-92 (Bhakkar) | Pakistan Muslim League | Contested individually, not linked with PTI |
| Ameer Ali Lali | NA-93 (Chiniot) | None mentioned | Independent candidate with no ties to PTI |
| Raza Hayat Hiraj | NA-144 (Khanewal) | None mentioned | Not a PTI backed candidate |
| Pir Zahoor Hussain | NA-146 (Khanewal) | None mentioned | Contested with electoral symbol Hukka, not backed by PTI |
| Ayesha Nazeer Jutt | NA-156 (Vehari) | None mentioned | Not supported by PTI, won independently |
| Shamsher Ali Mazari | NA-189 (Rajanpur) | None mentioned | Ran as an individual candidate |
Coalition Talks: PPP’s Strategy
With the spotlight on these political victories, the Pakistan Peoples Party is actively engaging with independent candidates to explore possibilities for forming a coalition government, highlighting the dynamic and ever-changing nature of Pakistan’s political landscape post-elections.
This election cycle has indeed spotlighted the strength and influence of independent candidates, showing that political affiliations can be diverse and not all are tied to the leading party narratives.
