No tickets for those ‘who turned their backs on PTI’

PTI chairman says party will deny tickets to deserters amid challenging times

RAWALPINDI:

As the PTI continues to face what it alleges to be tactics aimed at crippling its electoral race, party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali announced on Wednesday that the party would not grant tickets to those who have chosen to desert the party during challenging times.

He said that individuals who have announced their “departures from PTI via press conferences” would not be considered for party tickets.

Expressing concerns about “over 50 incidents” across the country where nomination papers of PTI candidates were reportedly taken away, the PTI chief called for fair and transparent elections, stressing the need for an equitable electoral process.

The PTI chief’s statement comes as the party has experienced a departure of key figures in the wake of the May 9 riots.

Numerous members defected to different parties, established splinter groups, or chose to exit the political arena altogether.

Many leaders including former planning minister Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and Maleeka Bokhari departed the party.

Moreover, the PTI alleges that it is facing immense challenges in poll preparations, lamenting that state machinery is being employed to "interfere" in crippling it before the country goes to the ballot on February 8. Several candidates have been reportedly "arrested and abducted" while the doors of nomination papers were foreclosed on others through "intimidation".

Speaking to the media following a meeting with PTI's founder chairman Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Wednesday, Barrister Gohar Khan conveyed incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan's joy upon regaining the party's 'bat' electoral symbol, which was taken away by ECP and restored by the Peshawar High Court.

The PTI chairman announced plans to challenge the cypher case in the high court, seeking an open trial. He said the party would approach the high court if necessary.

Furthermore, Barrister Gohar Ali announced intentions to seek bail for PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi to enable his participation in the elections. He mentioned the party's efforts to notify the ECP of the restoration of the bat symbol on the website.

Addressing concerns about the intimidation faced by their supporters and proposers, he indicated PTI's submission of evidence to the ECP.

Emphasising the significance of fair elections in sustaining the economy, he underscored that the law does not permit the confiscation of election symbols from any political party.