Govt, opposition unite to block dissident PTI candidates in Senate elections

In a rare show of unity, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government and opposition parties — including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — have joined forces to prevent dissident Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates from securing seats in the Senate elections scheduled for July 21.

The development comes as several PTI nominees refused to withdraw their candidacies, defying instructions from party leadership and deepening internal divisions.

According to Express News, the PTI political committee recently reaffirmed its agreement with opposition parties regarding Senate seat allocations and instructed its nominees to retract their nomination papers. However, many aspirants rejected this decision, refusing to step down.

Read More: PTI workers cry foul over Senate tickets

A late-night political committee meeting saw members defending the shortlist released by party founder Imran Khan. While acknowledging Irfan Saleem’s long service to PTI, the committee stood firm on Khan’s final candidate list. Although some objections were raised over Mishael Yousafzai’s candidacy, she was approved out of respect for the founder’s selections.

Despite endorsing the compromise with the opposition, the committee failed to persuade dissenting candidates to withdraw and is now considering issuing notices to non-compliant nominees.

In response, discontented candidates—including Irfan Saleem, Syed Irshad Hussain, Khurram Zeeshan, Aisha Bano, and Waqas Orakzai—held their own meeting. They unanimously rejected the committee’s instructions and vowed to contest the Senate elections.

Zeeshan released a video message stating the issue had surpassed a mere Senate contest. He criticized alliances with “illegitimate” individuals named on Form 47, accusing the party leadership of betraying Imran Khan’s principles.

“We stand at a crossroads: resistance or compromise through political horse-trading,” he said, pledging steadfast opposition and declaring, “We do not do politics; we do jihad.”

Saleem voiced concerns over alleged collusion with establishment-backed figures during the K-P Senate polls, asserting that PTI members derive legitimacy from Imran Khan’s mandate and pledging to expose any attempts to compromise party ideology.

Aisha called the Senate seat the party’s honour and questioned entrusting it to individuals accused of wronging Imran Khan and PTI workers. “This is not just an election; it is the front of our movement,” she said.

Saleem added that he would consult party workers and colleagues before deciding on contesting the Senate election papers. The dissidents’ defiance highlights a widening rift within PTI ahead of the upper house elections.

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Following these developments, both the opposition and government benches in the K-P Assembly have devised a joint strategy to ensure the success of their 11 agreed candidates.

Sources revealed that special panels are being formed to manage the voting process, with provincial ministers tasked to oversee four government-aligned panels. Lawmakers from the ruling party will be gathered at the Chief Minister’s House and sent to the assembly in groups under ministerial supervision to cast their votes.

On the opposition side, three panels will be supervised by parliamentary leaders of their respective parties. Members of the seven total panels will be instructed to vote separately for general, women, and technocrat candidates to avoid confusion or crossover.

The entire process will be monitored jointly by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah. Opposition candidates will also receive support from government ranks, with votes coordinated through mutual understanding.

In the event of any deviation, such as votes cast in favour of rebel PTI candidates, both sides have agreed to launch a thorough joint investigation to hold responsible lawmakers accountable.

Read: PA speaker tosses disqualification bid of 26 MPAs into judicial arena

Party insiders confirmed senior PTI leaders will be present in the assembly on polling day to oversee proceedings, with key opposition figures also expected to attend.

Opposition sources expressed satisfaction with the government’s commitment and arrangements. “We are hopeful that no issues will arise and all 11 candidates will be elected smoothly,” one source said.

It was further decided that any complaints or irregularities during the polling process would be immediately reported to the chief minister and opposition leader to ensure timely action.