Sun Nov 23 05:55:07 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

By-elections are being held in 13 National Assembly and Punjab Assembly seats in Pakistan on November 23, 2025, under tight security. The seats became vacant primarily due to the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers following their alleged involvement in violent protests in May 2023. Key contests are taking place in constituencies like NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96 (Faisalabad), NA-129 (Lahore), and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan) with candidates from various parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) vying for the seats. While the by-elections won’t significantly alter the political landscape, they are viewed as a crucial indicator of public sentiment towards the ruling parties and the PTI.

News Article:

Pakistan Holds By-Elections Amid Tight Security Following Disqualification of PTI Lawmakers

Islamabad, Pakistan – November 23, 2025 – Pakistan is holding by-elections today for 13 National Assembly and Punjab Assembly seats amidst heightened security measures. Polling began at 8:00 a.m. and will continue until 5:00 p.m.

The by-elections were triggered primarily by the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers who were implicated in the May 9, 2023, attacks on military and civilian properties after the arrest of PTI leader Imran Khan.

Six of the vacant seats are for the National Assembly (NA) and seven are for the Punjab Provincial Assembly. Key constituencies to watch include NA-18 (Haripur), where Shehrnaz Omar, wife of disqualified PTI lawmaker Omar Ayub Khan, is contesting against Babar Nawaz of PML-N. Other closely watched contests are in NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore, and NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan, with candidates from PML-N, PPP, and PTI vying for the seats.

Over 20,000 security personnel, including police, paramilitary Rangers, and Army troops, have been deployed, particularly in Punjab, considered the main battleground for these elections. Armed forces are positioned outside the most sensitive polling stations.

While the outcome of these by-elections is unlikely to drastically change the current political structure, analysts believe they will provide a crucial gauge of the ruling parties’ popularity and the ongoing support for the opposition PTI. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is overseeing the process.

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