PTI nominates Irfan Saleem as Senate candidate from Peshawar

Directs Sajad Mohmand, Ghulam Badshah Betni, and Sardar Khan to file nomination papers as covering candidates

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated PTI Peshawar district President Irfan Saleem as its candidate for the Senate seat left vacant following the disqualification of Murad Saeed.

According to a notification issued by the party, Sajad Mohmand, Ghulam Badshah Betni, and Sardar Khan have been directed to file nomination papers as covering candidates for Irfan Saleem.

The announcement was made after an important meeting of the PTI Parliamentary Board, held on the instructions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan. The meeting was presided over by Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi.

During the meeting, the board deliberated on the names of Senate candidates. Afridi emphasised that the party stands firmly with all its workers and leaders who remained steadfast and made sacrifices for the vision of the party founder during difficult times.

Read More: PTI gripped by Senate ticket rift

He acknowledged that the selection of the candidate was a difficult decision, as many deserving aspirants had submitted their applications. However, after extensive consultations, the parliamentary board selected Irfan Saleem as the PTI candidate for the Senate election.

The notification further stated that Sajad Mohmand, Ghulam Badshah Betni, and Sardar Khan will file nomination papers as covering candidates alongside Irfan Saleem.

At the conclusion of the notification, the board appreciated the services and sacrifices of all applicants and reiterated that the real strength of PTI lies in those who stood firmly with the party through every trial and test.

The notification was issued under the signature of PTI K-P General Secretary Ali Asghar Khan.

The development came as sources within PTI said the party plunged into a full-blown internal conflict over its single Senate seat in the upcoming by-election, with nearly a dozen party members throwing their hats into the ring.

The vacancy arose after the PTI's Senator-elect was disqualified before even taking the oath, triggering what many insiders describe as a "civil war" within the party for the prestigious seat. The contest has sparked heated debates on social media, with workers and leaders fiercely arguing over who deserves the ticket.

According to the sources, applications for the ticket were submitted by several prominent figures, including former provincial minister Shaukat Yousafzai, Peshawar District President Irfan Saleem, Faizur Rehman, Salarzai, Sajjad Bangash, Rasool Gul, Rahmat Kundi, and several others.

A war of words also erupted among senior party leaders. Many workers and mid-level leaders were demanding that the ticket go to a candidate who made significant sacrifices for the party and for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.