Today marked the final deadline for submitting nomination papers for the by-election in NA-129 Lahore. Nevertheless, Hammad Azhar was caught off guard when the RO office rejected his documents, citing incomplete paperwork.

According to RO office sources, one out of thirteen required points in Azhar’s papers was left incomplete — a technical requirement necessary for approval. The RO termed the objection minor and clarified that the issue could be resolved by resubmitting corrected documents.

This development has caused serious concern within PTI circles, as Hammad Azhar was widely considered a strong contender from the constituency.

Meanwhile, another PTI figure, Arsalan Zaheer, has submitted nomination papers for the same by-election. However, a PTI Central Media Committee spokesperson clarified that Arsalan is not the party’s official nominee.

Read more: PTI announces next protest on August 14

This unexpected episode has added fresh political heat to the NA-129 race, and analysts expect the constituency to become even more politically charged in the coming days.

The rejection of Hammad Azhar’s nomination papers may appear procedural on the surface, but it carries significant political implications. PTI’s internal dynamics are now under scrutiny, especially with conflicting signals about who the official candidate is. Whether this is a mere paperwork hiccup or a sign of deeper issues remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the political contest in NA-129 Lahore just got more dramatic.