The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that the by-election for the NA-256 Khuzdar seat, vacated by Sardar Akhtar Mengal, will take place on April 5, 2026. This decision follows the recent acceptance of Mengal's resignation by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, a move that had been pending since September 2024. According to Business Recorder, candidates must submit their nomination papers between February 20 and 24. The election schedule was released promptly after the resignation was formally accepted, indicating the urgency to fill the seat that has been vacant for over a year. The Tribune Latest highlights the political tension in Khuzdar, describing the upcoming by-election as a 'high-stakes political showdown' due to Mengal's significant influence as a leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M).