Ousted Pak PM faces key by-poll test today
Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N party is facing its first major political challenge in a by-election widely seen to be a barometre for whether he has managed to maintain support in his political heartland following his dismissal from office.
Sharif's wife Kulsoom will be running for the seat vacated by the former prime minister after his disqualification by the Supreme Court in July over an omission in his parliamentary wealth declaration.
On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking a review of its decision to disqualify Sharif, although a separate bench is still deliberating on whether the ban on holding public office is permanent.
The by-poll is scheduled to take place today, and campaigning for it concluded late on Friday night.
The court also referred Sharif, three of his children and several aides to an anti-corruption court for trial on charges that he looted state wealth during his previous two terms as prime minister in the 1990s.
Analysts say Sunday's by-poll will be a key indicator as to whether Sharif's dismissal has led to an erosion of support.They expect Sharif to hold onto the constituency, but feels the poll is an important bellwether for upcoming national elections in mid-2018.
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