The ruling party in the centre and Punjab province, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), leader Abid Sher Ali, has been elected unopposed to the Senate on the general seat left vacant following the death of Senator Irfan Siddiqui.The seat became vacant earlier this month, prompting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to initiate the by-election process.

Two candidates, Rana Ihsan and Abdul Jabbar, had initially filed nomination papers to contest against Abid Sher Ali, who belongs to the Faisalabad district, but both withdrew their candidature ahead of the polling day. No other political party submitted nomination papers against the PML-N nominee, clearing the way for his unopposed return to the upper house of parliament. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated PML-N leader Abid Sher Ali on his victory and extended his best wishes for the senator’s future responsibilities. 

The PM said that by the grace of Almighty Allah, the Pakistan Muslim League-N was earning success on multiple fronts owing to its commitment to public service. The prime minister praised Sher Ali as an active party member who had built a reputation for serving the public during previous tenures. He expressed confidence that, as senator, Sher Ali would continue to contribute to national development and public welfare under the leadership of former prime minister and PML-N President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. 

Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali (born on November 21, 1971) is a Pakistani politician who served as Minister of State for Power, in office from August 2017 to May 2018. Abid Sher Ali is the son of former mayor of Faisalabad and senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Sher Ali, who is a relative of Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif. He served as the Minister of State for Water and Power from 2013 to 2017.

He was a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2002 to 2018. He has served in various political fields and has held positions in the Standing Committee on Education (as chairman), the Standing Committee on Privatisation and Investment, the Standing Committee on Water and Power, and the Standing Committee on Youth Affairs.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)