The dominance of over two dozen political families on Pakistan's politics — and thus its resources — is a matter of great debate among voters. Some voters even call it a major point of concern.
The reality, however, is that no party — regardless of its altruistic ambitions — has been able to break this vice grip.
This week's elections will further cement the fact that elections in Pakistan are a family affair. Families contest for the control of some of the most important seats of a country, or ensure a seat is "passed down through generations."
Since the 1970s, families of Pakistan's elite have been contesting against each other in polls. Often, families would be pitched against other families. Sometimes, they would even contest against other family members.
In Southern Punjab, major families and tribes contest polls in around 50 constituencies.
Like in constituencies elsewhere in the country, it has become common to see members of a family contest adjoining seats.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has become a de facto leader in family-based politics, fielding several family members in key constituencies, has handed tickets to a brother and sister duo, Basit Sultan Bokhari and Shehar Bano Bokhari. The duo are competing for NA-176 Muzaffargarh-II and NA-177 Muzaffargarh-III.
Residents in this part of Muzaffargarh usually vote along caste or tribal lines. Aspects such as social work, relations with voters after the polls, job recommendations, etc, are not among the major factors affecting voting outcomes.
Basit Bokhari recently joined the PML-N, and local political analysts claim he is currently dominant.
His main challengers include Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmad Khan Babar from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Nawabzada Muhammad Ahmad Khan Babar — who is contesting as an independent, and the independent candidate Nazia Jamsheed.
Bokhari was previously elected from this area because of his family's political support.
Local political analysts say Sheherbano Bokhari is a weaker candidate than her brother. Still, she is poised to give opponents a tough time due to the support of her family.