Political parties in Pakistan are often accused of being family-owned enterprises, with several members of a singular, influential family or tribe often capturing blocks of seats to bolster their hold in the corridors of elected power.
Unwilling to allow externals to grab a share of their political patronage - even if at times brothers - fathers and sons or fathers and daughters may adopt diametrically opposing political views or even directly support political rivals and contest against each other - entrenched political leaders have decided to turn to their upcoming generation as a means to tap into a demographic that is fast changing the electoral landscape of the country: the youth.
As the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) extends the deadline to accept nomination papers from candidates, let's look at some known and some lesser-known families who will see their next generation enter or further entrench them in the politics of their families.
The Bhutto and Sharif families are famously criticised for promoting dynastic politics.
Among the Bhuttos, who have seen their family members elected as the country's prime minister across two generations, are hoping to make a hat trick with third-generational prime ministerial hopeful in Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Bilwal's father and former president, Asif Ali Zardari, is also expected to contest polls. However, the upcoming polls may see the entrance of another close family member into politics in the form of Aseefa Bhutto.
From the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), supremo Nawaz Sharif is expected to file nomination papers to contest the polls even if a question mark remains over his eligibility. Along with him, his daughter Maryam Nawaz is also expected to contest elections for the first time. Nawaz's son-in-law, Capt Safdar, is expected to contest elections from his hometown in the Hazara Division. Elsewhere, Nawaz's brother and former prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, is ready to contest elections, as is his son, Hamza Shahbaz. Nawaz's brother-in-law and former federal finance minister, Ishaq Dar, is already a senator.
All in all, the Sharif family expects to represent itself and its party fully in the polls, along with a strong contingent of party members -- whether new or old.
Many other mainstays of Pakistani politics across the political divide are also expected to join the power race together with the younger generation of their family.
From the Awami National Party (ANP), the young leader of the party and scion of the Wali Khan family, Aimal Wali Khan, is also expected to contest polls.
The prominent Bilour family of Peshawar is also likely to contest elections, including Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Samar Haroon Bilour, the wife of his slain nephew Haroon, are likely to contest the polls.
Newly formed Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) chief Jahangir Khan Tareen could contest polls along with his daughter.
These families have enjoyed long stints in the woodwork of the national and provincial assemblies. They include famous political families such as Qureshi, Gilani, Leghari, Khar, Gormani, Jatoi, Qaisrani and others.
Former prime minister and senior PPP leader Yusuf Raza Gilani could be joined in campaigning by his three sons, including Ali Musa Gilani, Abdul Qadir Gilani and Qasim Gilani. It is unclear who will contest for national assembly seats and who will compete for provincial assembly seats.
With PTI Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi still languishing in jail as the extended date to file nomination papers draws near, his family is also contemplating participation in the polls, including his son Zain Qureshi and daughter Mehr Bano Qureshi.
This is another aspect seen this time with family members of political leaders announcing to participate in elections after the leaders announced to leave politics following the disintegration of PTI in the aftermath of the May 9 incidents.
In this regard, the mother of former PTI leaders Umer and Usman Dar will be contesting polls from Sialkot.
Two brothers from the Khosa tribes, Saifuddin Khosa and Dost Muhammad Khosa, are planning to contest the upcoming general elections.
Another set of brothers, former federal planning minister Asad Umar and former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair, who have represented opposing parties, could again face off in elections.
The former federal defence minister and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, Pervez Khattak, could contest polls with his brother and other extended family members.
Former National Assembly speaker and interprovincial minister Fehmida Mirza and her husband, renowned political figure Zulfiqar Mirza, along with their son Hasnain Mirza, may also contest the upcoming polls.
It is still the subject of some debate who amongst the Chaudhry's of Gujrat will seek to contest the upcoming polls. While Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain is likely to contest along with some other members of his immediate family, his cousin, former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi remains incarcerated, having switched allegiances to become the President of PTI. His son, Makhdoom Moonis Elahi, is currently absconding abroad but will hope to be able to contest elections on a PTI ticket.
Senior politician Makhdoom Ahmed's sons, Murtaza Mehmood and Mustafa Mehmood could also contest the polls.
The Khar family, including former Punjab chief minister Ghulam Mustafa Khar and former federal and state minister Hina Rabbani Khar, also plan to contest the polls. The participation of elder Khar in the polls depends on his health, given his advanced age.
Elsewhere, senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani and Abdul Khaliq have also planned to contest the polls.
The famous Baloch tribe, Leghari, will likely contest the upcoming polls with former federal minister Awais Leghari, Jamal Leghari, and now young Ammar Leghari may participate.
In Muzaffargarh, the two sons of the late PPP leader Nawabzada Nasrullah, including Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan and Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmed Khan and young candidate Nawabzada Ahmed, are planning to compete in the upcoming elections.
Members of the Hujra family, including Ahmed Yar Hujra and Qasim Hujra, are ready to participate in the polls.
Likewise, from the Jatoi family, Moazam Jatoi and Dr Zakaullah Jatoi can contest in the elections.
From the Khetran tribe, a family member is expected to formally announce their intention to contest the upcoming polls.
Cousins Qadir Baloch and Sanaullah Zehri from Balochistan are expected to participate in the upcoming polls.
Similarly, Baloch leaders and tribal chiefs Lashkari Raeesani and Aslam Raeesani are also ready to contest in the election.
In the last general elections, the Gormani tribe was represented by Tariq Gormani, Zeeshan Gormani (independent candidate), and Saifuddin Gormani (from a Jamaat-e-Islami ticket), who took part in the polls and are now planning to field candidates.
Members from other famous tribes are also getting ready to submit their nomination papers. Some may end up competing against their relatives in the upcoming polls.
One way or another, Pakistani politics will be unable to shake off the spectre of dynastic politics come February 8. Whether an increasingly younger electorate will vote for younger members of these political dynasties or the more senior members remains to be seen.