Malik Munir Iqbal Channar Wins NA-168 By-Election, PM Shehbaz Sharif Congratulates Him

News Date: September 28, 2026

BAHAWALPUR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar has won the by-election in National Assembly constituency NA-168 Bahawalpur, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results announced on September 28, 2026.

Channar secured 79,306 votes, while independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema finished second with 42,623 votes. The results covered all 292 polling stations in the constituency.

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Channar on his victory and praised the voters who participated in the by-election.

PML-N Candidate Wins NA-168 By-Election

The NA-168 Bahawalpur seat became vacant after the death of former PML-N lawmaker Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar in August 2026.

His son, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, subsequently received the PML-N ticket to contest the by-election.

The election took place on Sunday, September 27, with polling beginning at 8 am and ending at 5 pm. Voters who were already inside polling stations at closing time were allowed to cast their ballots.

According to unofficial results, Channar received 79,306 votes, defeating his main rival, Wali Dad Cheema, who secured 42,623 votes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Congratulates Winner

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Malik Munir Iqbal Channar on winning the NA-168 by-election.

The prime minister described the result as an expression of public confidence in the PML-N. He also congratulated Channar's brother, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar.

Shehbaz Sharif remembered the late Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar for his long association with the PML-N and his services to the party.

He said the election victory represented the continuation of the family's political association and public service.

The prime minister also praised the people of Bahawalpur for participating in the democratic process and choosing their representative.

Wali Dad Cheema Finishes Second

Independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema finished second in the NA-168 by-election, receiving 42,623 votes according to unofficial results.

Cheema is the son of former federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema. He was the main challenger to the PML-N candidate during the election campaign.

The Pakistan Peoples Party had withdrawn its candidate and announced support for Malik Munir Iqbal Channar ahead of the election.

The by-election attracted attention because of the political competition between the Channar and Cheema families.

Polling Held at 292 Stations

Voting in the NA-168 constituency took place on September 27, 2026.

Polling started at 8 am and continued until 5 pm. Election officials completed the counting process after voting ended.

The constituency had more than 483,000 registered voters. According to reports, polling concluded peacefully, although isolated incidents had been reported during the election campaign.

The unofficial results from all 292 polling stations showed Channar leading the contest.

The final official result remains subject to confirmation by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Background of the NA-168 Constituency

Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar had represented NA-168 after winning the 2024 general election as a PML-N candidate.

Following his death in August 2026, the constituency required a by-election to elect a new member of the National Assembly.

The PML-N nominated his son, Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, to contest the vacant seat.

Munir Iqbal had previously served as deputy mayor of the Bahawalpur Municipal Corporation before contesting the by-election.

His brother, Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, is the Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

Conclusion

Malik Munir Iqbal Channar has won the NA-168 Bahawalpur by-election, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. He received 79,306 votes, while independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema secured 42,623 votes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Channar and acknowledged the participation of Bahawalpur voters.

The by-election followed the death of former lawmaker Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, whose son contested the seat on the PML-N ticket. The Election Commission's official confirmation will establish the final result.

Source: Geo News, Dawn, The News International and Election Commission of Pakistan.