Deep divisions have emerged within PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter over the controversial distribution of Senate election tickets, with party organizers threatening protests if their demands are not met.
PTI’s organizational office-bearers publicly demanded that Irfan Saleem be awarded the Senate ticket from Peshawar.
At a press conference, they warned that failure to fulfill this demand would result in demonstrations outside the Provincial Assembly, the Chief Minister’s House, and the residences of sitting MPAs. Labeling the decision to deny Irfan Saleem a ticket as a betrayal of party ideology, the PTI workers said the move had angered long-time party loyalists. Irfan Saleem will remain in the race — his nomination will not be withdrawn under any circumstances, they declared.
The office-bearers further said theye hope the party leadership will accept our legitimate demands. If not, we will stage a sit-in outside the Chief Minister’s House, enter the Red Zone, and surround the assembly building on the day of the Senate election. No MPA will be allowed to enter the house to cast their vote.
Accusing the leadership of sidelining genuine party workers, they said this is an ideological battle that was initiated by PTI founder Imran Khan — and we intend to finish it. They strongly criticized the candidate selection process, alleging that tickets were being granted not to dedicated party members, but to wealthy individuals — referred to as “ATMs.”