Syed Ali Kasim Gilani Triumphs in NA-148 Multan-I By-Election
MULTAN: Syed Ali Kasim Gilani, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate, has emerged victorious in the NA-148 Multan-I by-election, defeating Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Barrister Taimur Altaf by a significant margin, as reported by Presstonight.com on Monday.
The by-election was held for the seat vacated by Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani. According to official and confirmed results, Syed Ali Kasim Gilani garnered 85,863 votes, while Barrister Taimur Altaf received 52,354 votes. The PPP candidate’s victory margin was 35,572 votes in this crucial Multan contest.
The polling process was conducted peacefully, with stringent security measures in place. Despite 69 polling stations being declared “sensitive,” no untoward incidents were reported. Pakistan Army and Punjab Rangers personnel maintained a continuous patrol around sensitive polling stations, supported by CCTV cameras and walk-through gates for monitoring.
However, polling staff reported a lack of basic facilities, such as cold water and fans, at the polling stations. Observers noted an extremely low voter turnout, largely attributed to the scorching heat in the city.
Polling commenced at 8 AM and concluded at 5 PM without interruption. The constituency, historically significant and previously designated as NA-154 Multan-I in the 2018 election delimitations, was re-designated as NA-148 Multan-I for the February 8 election. The total number of registered voters in the constituency stood at 444,231, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
A total of 2,248 polling staff were appointed across the polling stations, with 2,555 police personnel ensuring security.
Kasim’s victory marks a unique political milestone for the Gilani family, consolidating their influence with representation in the National Assembly, Punjab Assembly, and Senate. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the family patriarch and former prime minister, currently serves as Senate Chairman. His sons have been elected to various legislative bodies: Syed Ali Musa Gilani from NA-151 Multan-4, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani from NA-152 Multan-5, and Syed Ali Kasim Gilani from NA-148 Multan-1. Additionally, Syed Ali Haider Gilani serves as an MPA from PP-213 Multan-1.
This electoral success reinforces the Gilani family’s prominent role in Pakistan’s political landscape.
