Okara by election - changing trends in Punjab's politics?

This independent guy has alone polled more votes as compared to all political parties combined. We know that voting in rural areas has been circling around personalities, castes etc. since independence mostly mostly feudals have been winning. Are things changing in rural areas too?

www.dawn.com/news/1212952

WE don’t need political parties. We don’t need your sermons on governance or new this and old that. We don’t want you, move out. While all of Pakistan was watching that contest in Lahore, Punjab politics shifted a gear and moved to another realm. And it happened here in Okara.
In Okara, an independent candidate Riaz ul Haq Juj polled more votes than all the political parties put together. In the last election PML-N’s Chaudhray Arif was one of those super candidates who got more than one hundred thousand votes. Imran Khan held the biggest jalsa in the city’s history during the campaign.

Re: Okara by election - changing trends in Punjab's politics?

This was one of the most notable trends in KPK LG polls. I'm surprised media didn't talk about this.

Most of these independents are local 'electables' anyway. They usually have enough money, reputable title, community support to not rely on any party's help. But they end up joining winning party anyway - at least in most cases.

But still a good trend in the context of Pakistani politics, nonetheless. I think it should be encouraged as it balances things out a little.