PESHAWAR: The deadline for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) dissident Senate candidates to withdraw their nomination papers has officially expired, and the candidates have opted not to step down.According to the Election Commission, candidates elected on reserved seats will be sworn today (Sunday) at 6 PM at the Governor House Peshawar, where the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will administer the oath.The Senate elections in the province will be held tomorrow (Monday) at 11 AM in the Assembly’s Jirga Hall.
Following the refusal of the dissident candidates to withdraw, PTI has now decided to contest the elections against the opposition. Sources indicate that this decision may nullify the previously agreed seat-sharing arrangement between the government and the opposition, which allocated six seats to the government and five to the opposition.
PTI leadership had instructed the dissident candidates to withdraw their nomination papers before Sunday. However, their failure to comply has raised the likelihood of disciplinary action against them.
Sources reveal that two meetings were held to resolve the matter and persuade the dissident candidates, but after their continued refusal, the issue was handed over to PTI’s Political Committee.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that the first meeting included Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the concerned candidates. The second meeting, held via video link, was boycotted by the dissident candidates. The matter was then referred to the Political Committee, which endorsed the decisions previously made by the parliamentary party.
Barrister Gohar expressed hope that the dissident candidates would respect the Political Committee’s verdict. However, he added that if they fail to comply, the party would devise a new strategy regarding their future.
Senate candidate Irfan Saleem said he would consult party workers before making any final decision on withdrawing. Along with Irfan Saleem, Ayesha Bano, Waqas Orakzai, Khurram Zeeshan, and Irshad Hussain also did not withdraw from the Senate race by Sunday’s deadline.
Due to this ongoing political deadlock and concerns over the possible absence of PTI lawmakers from the Assembly session on Sunday, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly failed to meet quorum. Consequently, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati adjourned the session until July 24.
