PTI Divided Over By-Elections: Imran Khan’s Final Decision Could Shake KP & Punjab

PTI Divided Over By-Elections as Legal Team Prepares to Brief Imran Khan

Party committee votes to contest under SIC tickets despite Aleema Khan’s claims of Imran’s opposition; final call expected today

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership is facing an internal rift over whether to take part in upcoming by-elections on national and provincial assembly seats vacated after recent disqualifications. Party insiders say the final decision will be made today when PTI founder Imran Khan meets his legal team in Adiala Jail.

Sources confirm that the party’s political committee, meeting on Monday, overturned earlier resistance to participation, voting 12–9 in favor of fielding candidates. This move contradicts the stance repeatedly conveyed by Khan’s sister Aleema, who has insisted that Imran opposes contesting by-polls to avoid “legitimizing” the process.

Fear of Losing KP Majority Spurs Shift

Party strategists warn that further disqualifications of lawmakers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could threaten PTI’s provincial government. Legal adviser Advocate Ali Bukhari reportedly urged Khan to reconsider his boycott call, noting that failure to field candidates could cost PTI its majority in KP. While Punjab remains a tougher battleground, PTI leaders believe KP seats can be defended easily.

PTI has already secured stay orders against the removal of senior leaders including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, but the party has reluctantly nominated replacements to keep its options open. To avoid being declared “independent candidates” amid disputes over PTI’s electoral symbol, Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram announced that all tickets will be issued under the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) banner.

High-Pressure Consultations with Imran Khan

Imran Khan, who has no direct access to social media but communicates through his family and legal team, twice reaffirmed his opposition to contesting by-polls during earlier meetings. However, his legal advisers argue that boycotting elections would leave political space uncontested for rivals in Punjab and weaken PTI’s grip in KP. Khan has reportedly suggested Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Azam Swati as possible candidates for key opposition slots if the party chooses to proceed.

Political Drama and Resignation Threat

The internal debate turned turbulent when Waqqas Akram publicly confirmed the committee’s vote in favor of participation, sparking criticism from PTI supporters worldwide. Later, Salman Akram Raja announced his decision to resign as PTI secretary general, citing his opposition to the move. Raja said he would personally request Khan to accept his resignation while continuing to provide legal assistance without pay.

Former Punjab Assembly opposition leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar voiced strong support for contesting the polls, arguing that PTI should not abandon ground in Punjab:

“By contesting around 14 seats, PTI will force the government into visible electoral activity and expose any attempt at manipulation,” Bhachar told Dawn.

PPP Withdraws in Favour of PML-N

In a related development, three Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates withdrew their nominations for by-elections in Punjab to support Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) contenders. The withdrawals cover NA-129 (Lahore), NA-66 (Wazirabad), and PP-87 (Mianwali), following a seat-adjustment deal between the two allied parties.

With PTI’s final call expected after today’s meeting with Khan, the party remains split between loyalty to its jailed founder’s wishes and the political necessity of safeguarding its power base.