The second round of talks between the candidates representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Senate elections and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has also ended without a resolution. According to sources, the final decision will now be made by PTI’s political committee. However, the candidates have indicated that they will express their stance on this decision.
Earlier today, the first round of discussions among the PTI Senate candidates—namely Irfan Saleem, Ayesha Bano, Irshad Hussain, and Waqas Orakzai—concluded inconclusively. The disgruntled candidates are demanding two seats, while the Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, has instructed them to withdraw unconditionally. Their demands include the withdrawal of one of the two seats granted to JUI-F and the PPP, or else they insist on contesting the election.
Barristers Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, Taimur Jhagra, and Shaukat Basra were present during the first round of talks. It is worth noting that a meeting of PTI’s candidates took place on Thursday, where general seat candidates Irfan Saleem, Waqas Orakzai, Khurram Zeeshan, technocrat seat candidate former IG Syed Irshad Hussain, and women’s seat candidate Ayesha Bano participated. During this meeting, the candidates made it clear that they would not withdraw from the Senate race.
On the other hand, an agreement has been reached between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the opposition regarding uncontested Senate elections. In a meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and opposition leaders, they agreed on a 5/6 formula. According to this formula, PTI will secure 6 seats while the opposition will receive 5 seats.
As per the agreement, uncontested senators from the opposition include Talha Mahmood, Atta-ul-Haq Darwish, Rubina Khalid, Dilawar Khan, and Niaz Ahmed. From the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the uncontested senators will be Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Azam Swati, and Rubina Naz.
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