Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is gearing up for the upcoming February 8 election, with plans to unveil its list of candidates within the next 24 hours. The party, led by the incarcerated former prime minister, has already provided confirmation to the majority of candidates set to contest the election under the PTI banner.
Senator Ali Zafar, representing PTI, shared with Geo News that approvals for 98-99 percent of the candidates have been granted, leaving only around two percent of seats where decisions still need to be made. Zafar emphasized that the announcement of the candidates would be made today or tomorrow, pending the outcome of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) verdict.
Notably, a significant number of lawyers have been selected as PTI candidates for the election, marking a strategic move by the party. However, Zafar clarified that there is no specific ratio or quota regarding how many tickets were allocated to lawyers versus other party members.
The political landscape in Pakistan is intensifying as the general election draws near, set to take place against the backdrop of economic challenges and political turbulence. The PTI, facing various challenges, including legal issues and symbolic disputes, is striving to position itself effectively for the upcoming polls.
The PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz), another major political player, is grappling with internal dynamics and external pressures. The party is under scrutiny to accommodate dissidents from PTI, as well as members from the Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) in Punjab. This delicate balancing act is adding complexity to PML-N’s election preparations.
One significant hurdle for the PTI is the matter of its election symbol – the cricket bat. The party has encountered difficulties related to the symbol and has sought legal recourse. The PTI has approached the Supreme Court with a petition challenging the January 3 order of the Peshawar High Court, which nullified the party’s intra-party polls and revoked its iconic election symbol.
The Peshawar High Court’s decision on January 3 not only invalidated PTI’s intra-party polls but also stripped the party of its cricket bat symbol. Subsequently, the PTI, led by Imran Khan, moved swiftly to challenge this verdict in the Supreme Court, aiming to secure a favorable outcome before the impending election.
The political scenario in Pakistan remains fluid, with various parties jockeying for strategic advantages and attempting to address internal and external challenges. As the PTI readies itself to announce its candidates, the political landscape is likely to witness further developments and shifts in the lead-up to the February 8 election.
