SAHIWAL: Pakistan People`s Party Parliamentary Board headed by Faryal Ahmed Talpur has awarded ticket to Shahzad Saeed Cheema for NA-162, Chichawatni, byelection, it is learnt.

Shahzad Cheema was a former MPA from Chichawatni`s PP-224 constituency on PPP ticket and he served as parliamentary secretary, Planning and Development Board, Punjab, from 2008 to 2013.

A graduate from Aitchison College, Lahore, he is currently studying for his law degree at a private institute.

The Election Commission of Pakistan announced by-poll in NA-162 after disqualification of Rai Hassan Nawaz, PTI MNA. He was disqualified on the allegation of concealing his financial assets and loans while submitting his nomination papers for the 2013 general election.

Speaking to Dawn on phone, Shahzad Cheema confirmed he had got the PPP ticket.

A tough competition is expected in the by-poll as Mr Cheema is lil
In 2013, Mr Nawaz won election with 88,974 votes while PML-N`s Haji Ayub was runners-up with 75,756 votes. PPP`s Shafgat Rasool Ghumman could get 9,609 votes.