Four of five dissenting candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have announced withdrawal from the Senate election as the efforts being made by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur yielded positive results. The candidates, who withdrew their nomination papers, include Waqas Orakzai, Irshad Hussain, Irfan Saleem, and Ayesha Bano. Their decision aligns with the directives of PTI founder. 

In a video message, Irfan Saleem stated, “We accept every decision made by the PTI founder.” Ayesha Bano echoed the sentiment, saying she has always followed the party founder’s instructions. Irshad Hussain emphasised putting the party’s decision above personal interest, while Waqas Orakzai remarked, “Seats are temporary, but ideology is permanent—and we stand with the ideology.

”Chief Minister Gandapur praised the move, calling it a victory for the party’s core principles. “Waqas Orakzai, Irshad Hussain, Irfan Saleem, and Ayesha Bano have honored the party’s decision. Their commitment shows the strength of PTI’s ideology and the loyalty of its workers,” he said. However, one candidate, Khurram Zeeshan, has so far refused to withdraw.

The KPA Assembly is set to hold Senate elections today for 11 vacant seats as withdrawal of the four PTI dissenters from the race has cleared the path for the government and opposition to elect their candidates unopposed. A total of 145 members of the provincial assembly are expected to cast their votes in the election.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)