Islamabad(The COW News Digital)Internal divisions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have intensified over the allocation of a Senate ticket for a vacant seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, exposing a growing rift between the party leadership and its grassroots supporters.
The seat fell vacant following the disqualification of senior PTI leader Murad Saeed, with polling scheduled for April 23. Despite PTI holding a clear majority in the provincial assembly—making the seat an easy win on paper—the ticket dispute has sparked a heated internal debate.
According to party sources, the leadership is inclined to award the ticket to Faiz ur Rehman from Kohat, citing financial considerations. Party officials argue that rising operational expenses, along with the legal costs associated with cases involving PTI founder Imran Khan, have increased the need to nominate financially strong candidates who can support party activities.
However, a significant segment of party workers and local leadership is backing Irfan Saleem from Peshawar, describing him as a long-time ideological worker deserving of representation in the Senate. Supporters argue that awarding the ticket to a loyal party worker would reinforce PTI’s core values and strengthen morale among its grassroots base.
The disagreement has also drawn public reactions from key party figures. Member of the National Assembly Sher Ali Arbab took to social media platform X to express his support for Irfan Saleem, stating that while he generally avoids discussing internal matters publicly, he hopes the party will choose a dedicated worker to replace Murad Saeed. He warned that prioritizing wealth over merit could compel him to speak out more openly.
Similarly, MNA Shandana Gulzar emphasized her preference for awarding the ticket to Irfan Saleem, aligning her stance with what she described as the party’s ideological commitments. She cautioned against any attempt to accommodate individuals allegedly backed by external influences, signaling potential resistance within party ranks.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the party leadership is considering forming a committee to finalize the Senate ticket, potentially distributing responsibility for the decision. However, provincial president Junaid Akbar has reportedly declined to be part of any such body if it serves merely as a symbolic endorsement.
The unfolding situation underscores internal challenges within PTI at a crucial political juncture, with the outcome likely to impact party cohesion ahead of the Senate vote.
