The upcoming by-election in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-203, Chichawatni, has drawn attention to divisions within the influential Jutt family and the entry of youth-led social movement Tehreek-e-Ehsaas. The contest comes after the death of Punjab Assembly member Chaudhry Hanif Jutt, whose seat has become the focus of renewed competition among local political groups.
Tehreek-e-Ehsaas has been active in Chichawatni for several years and has recently been included by the Election Commission in its list of political parties, according to the report. Although the movement’s young leader is the son of a politician associated with the influential Rai brothers, some local residents reportedly view the movement as a separate political force rather than simply an extension of the Rai group.
During the 2024 general elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), associated with the Rai brothers in Chichawatni, won the National Assembly and provincial assembly seats in the area. Following the Rai brothers’ disqualification in connection with the May 9 cases, the group was unable to contest the subsequent by-election after PTI boycotted it as a party. The Jutt brothers subsequently won the seats in that by-election.
The latest electoral contest has exposed divisions within the Jutt family over the PML-N ticket for PP-203. Asad Hanif, son of the late Chaudhry Hanif Jutt, and former provincial lawmaker Chaudhry Arshad Jutt, the deceased’s younger brother, are both seeking the party ticket and are reportedly running separate campaigns. Asad Hanif is backed by his paternal uncle, National Assembly member Chaudhry Tufail, while Arshad Jutt has support from another brother and a section of the family’s political group.
The Rai brothers remain unable to contest the upcoming election under the prevailing party discipline, according to the report. In the previous by-election, independent candidate Falak Sher Dogar contested to prevent Hanif Jutt from being elected unopposed and secured a considerable number of votes. However, he has not submitted nomination papers for the current contest.
Tehreek-e-Ehsaas has entered the race with its own candidate, introducing another factor into the constituency’s political dynamics. Local political observers cited in the report suggest that the movement could attract some voters who have traditionally supported the Rai group. The extent of any such shift remains uncertain, as established political families retain longstanding local networks and experience in election campaigns.
The PP-203 by-election will provide an opportunity to assess the movement’s electoral support and the impact of divisions within the Jutt family. Its result may also offer insight into whether a youth-led organisation can build a stronger political presence alongside established family-based groups in Chichawatni.
Chichawatni PP-203 By-Election Puts Jutt Family Unity and Tehreek-e-Ehsaas to the Test
