BAHAWALPUR, March 17: As many as 10 candidates filed their nomination papers to contest the bypolls to NA-190 (Chishtian) Bahawalnagar-111, a seat which was vacant after the death of Abdul Sattar Laleka.

The papers were submitted with returning officer Khalid Mahmood, a Bahawalnagar additional district and sessions judge, on the last day on Wednesday.

According to reports reaching here, the candidates included Bahawalpur District Nazim Tariq Cheema's younger brother, Tahir Cheema, who is Chishtian tehsil Nazim, brother-in-law Sajjad Jathole, and Shahida Sattar, wife of deceased Abdul Sattar Laleka.

The other candidates are Mian Ihsan Bari (MMA), Pervez Akhtar, Dr Akhtar Ali Laleka, Muhammad Latif Ansar, Shahid Iqbal, Shahid Akram and Muhammad Ali Laleka.

The scrutiny of the nomination papers is scheduled to be held on March 18 and 19 and the last date for withdrawal of the papers will be March 26 after which election symbols will be allotted to the candidates the same day. It is expected that Tahir Cheema will be nominated for the PML-Q ticket following a deal of the ruling coalition with PPP deserter Tariq Cheema.

UNESCO CHAIR: Islamia University, Bahawalpur, vice-chancellor Prof Dr Munir Akhtar said on Wednesday a Unesco chair for women study would be established at the university.

Presiding over a function at the mass communication department here, he said the decision had been taken in view of the women's social role and their education. Other speakers included department chairman Prof Sajjad Piracha and Government Degree College for Women Principal Mrs Rabia Hashmi.