The parliamentary committee had ordered all candidates to temporarily withhold the submission of nomination papers
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter waves the party’s flag at a rally. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will formally announce its candidate and cover candidate for the vacant Senate seat today, party leader Junaid Akbar said in a statement on X Monday.
In his post, Akbar wrote: “The Parliamentary Committee will formally announce its candidate and cover candidate for the vacant Senate seat tomorrow (Monday). Therefore, all workers are requested not to submit their nomination papers on Monday.”
The first meeting of the parliamentary committee has been held. The parliamentary committee will officially announce its candidate and committee for the vacant seat of the Senate. لهٰذا, تمام عرض المزيد كو هيداد دي جاطي هاي كه كل همارا كوي بهي كابن ةاتي نجمةنجي جمع نه كرائي The announcement of the parliamentary committee…
— Junaid Akbar (@JunaidAkbarMNA) 5 April 2026
He added that the nominated candidates will submit their papers on Tuesday, ensuring a coordinated and strategic approach by the party to the upcoming Senate elections.
The development comes as PTI sources said the party is plunged into a full-blown internal conflict over its single Senate seat in the upcoming by-elections, with nearly a dozen party members throwing their hats in the ring.
The vacancy arose after PTI’s senator-elect was disqualified before he was even sworn in, triggering what many insiders describe as a “civil war” within the party over the prestigious seat. The contest has sparked heated debates on social media, with workers and managers arguing fiercely over who deserves the ticket.
Read more: PTI gripped by Senate ticket breach
According to the sources, applications for the ticket have been submitted by several prominent people including former provincial minister Shaukat Yousafzai, Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem, Faizur Rehman, Salarzai, Sajjad Bangash, Rasool Gul, Rahmat Kundi and several others.
A war of words has also broken out among senior party leaders. Many workers and mid-level leaders are demanding that the ticket go to a candidate who has made significant sacrifices for the party and for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan schedule, nomination papers will be filed on April 6 and 7. PTI sources said aspirants will submit their nomination papers during these two days and the parliamentary board is expected to announce its final choice a day before the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
