PTI to contest by-polls with full force

The political committee of the PTI decided on Thursday to actively contest all upcoming by-elections, resolving not to leave the political arena vacant for the rivals, sources said. The party's core committee met here with Secretary General Salman Akram Raja in the chair.

It was decided that the PTI would field candidates in every constituency where seats fell vacant and by-elections would be held. It was also decided that candidate would be nominated with the consent of the disqualified member.

The meeting, however, saw sharp differences emerging over the nomination of the replacement for the opposition leaders Omar Ayub in the National Assembly and Shibli Faraz in the Senate, who had been convicted by the courts over May 9, 2023 riots.

A message from the PTI founder Imran Khan, sent through Ali Bukhari, stated that if Ayub and Faraz secured relief from the courts, they would continue in their positions; otherwise, Mehmood Achakzai and Senator Azam Swati should be considered for the opposition leaders' posts.