PTI to announce Senate candidate today: Junaid Akbar
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter waves the party flag at a rally. PHOTO: FILE
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will formally announce its candidate and covering candidate for the vacant Senate seat today, party leader Junaid Akbar said in a statement on X on Monday.
In his post, Akbar wrote: “The parliamentary committee will formally announce its candidate and covering candidate for the vacant Senate seat tomorrow (Monday). Therefore, all workers are directed not to submit their nomination papers on Monday.”
پارلیمانی کمیٹی کا پہلا اجلاس منعقد ہو چکا ہے۔ پارلیمانی کمیٹی کل سینیٹ کی خالی نشست کے لیے اپنے امیدوار اور کورنگ امیدوار کا باضابطہ اعلان کرے گی۔ لہٰذا، تمام کارکنان کو ہدایت دی جاتی ہے کہ کل ہمارا کوئی بھی کارکن اپنے کاغذاتِ نامزدگی جمع نہ کرائے۔ پارلیمانی کمیٹی کے اعلان کے…
He added that the nominated candidates will submit their papers on Tuesday, ensuring a coordinated and strategic approach by the party for the upcoming Senate elections.
The development comes as sources within PTI said the party has 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.
Read More: PTI gripped by Senate ticket rift
According to the sources, applications for the ticket have been 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 has also erupted among senior party leaders. Many workers and mid-level leaders are demanding that the ticket go to a candidate who has made significant sacrifices for the party and for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan schedule, nomination papers will be filed on April 6 and 7. PTI sources said aspiring candidates will submit their nomination papers during these two days, and the parliamentary board is expected to announce its final choice one day before the last date for withdrawal of nominations.