Party Finalizes Candidates After Internal Disagreements
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has finalized its candidates for a vacant Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The seat became vacant after the disqualification of Murad Saeed.
The party has nominated Irfan Saleem as its main candidate. Meanwhile, Ghulam Badshah, known as the driver of Bushra Bibi, has been named as a covering candidate. Sajjad Mohmand has also been included as another covering candidate.
The decision comes after intense consultations within the opposition camp. Several names were proposed for the Senate slot. However, disagreements delayed the final decision. The party leadership eventually settled on its current list.
This move has drawn attention due to the unusual selection of a covering candidate. It also highlights internal divisions within the party and its allies.
Opposition Proposals Rejected by PTI Leadership
Opposition leaders, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, had proposed Akhundzada Hussain Yousafzai for the seat. However, PTI’s parliamentary board rejected this suggestion.
The party leadership instead chose Irfan Saleem as its primary nominee. Sources say some leaders raised concerns over this decision. These concerns were linked to Saleem’s alleged involvement in May 9-related cases.
Initially, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and leader Salman Akram Raja had agreed to include Yousafzai as a covering candidate. Assurances were reportedly given to accommodate him.
However, the situation changed later. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi intervened in the process. He supported the inclusion of Ghulam Badshah instead. This decision replaced Yousafzai’s expected position.
Some party members opposed this move. Shahid Khattak and others raised objections. They questioned the rationale behind selecting Bushra Bibi’s driver as a covering candidate.
Senate Seat Vacated After Disqualification
The Senate seat became vacant after action by the Election Commission of Pakistan. The commission disqualified Murad Saeed following his conviction in a May 9 case.
According to the ECP, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi. The disqualification was carried out under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution.
Murad Saeed had been elected as a senator from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in July 2025. However, he could not take oath as he remained in hiding. Later, he submitted his resignation in mid-February.
The ECP has issued the election schedule for the vacant seat. Polling will take place on April 23 at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Nomination scrutiny will continue until April 10. Appeals can be filed by April 13, with decisions expected by April 15.
The revised list of candidates will be published shortly after. The last date for withdrawal is April 17. Voting will be held from 9am to 4pm.
This development reflects ongoing political tensions. It also shows the complexity of candidate selection within parties. The outcome of the election will be closely watched.
