Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strictly directed its workers and officials to withdraw their nomination papers for the upcoming Punjab by-elections. The party reiterated that it will not participate in the polls under any circumstances, following the instructions of its founder, Imran Khan.
According to a statement issued by the PTI’s Central Media Department, the party made it clear that anyone filing nomination papers under its name would be doing so without official backing. PTI emphasized that all such individuals must withdraw their candidacies immediately.
The decision to boycott was taken in a recent meeting of the party’s Political Committee. Earlier, PTI had considered fielding a candidate for NA-129, Lahore, after the passing of veteran politician Mian Muhammad Azhar. However, his son, Hammad Azhar, announced he would not contest the seat for personal reasons.
Reports emerged that some individuals had filed papers using the party’s name. In response, PTI issued strict instructions for immediate withdrawal, stressing that it fully disassociates itself from such actions.
Meanwhile, the party’s boycott of the by-elections comes alongside resignations from parliamentary committees. Junaid Akbar has stepped down as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and as a member of the Standing Committee on Energy. In his resignation letter to Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Akbar stated he was leaving his posts “with a sense of fulfillment and responsibility.”
Several other PTI lawmakers, including Ali Asghar, Sajid Khan, Shahid Khattak, Faisal Amin Khan, and Asif Khan, have also resigned from various National Assembly committees. Many have indicated readiness to vacate their seats if instructed by Imran Khan.
The party reaffirmed that PTI remains committed to its political struggle but will completely boycott the Punjab by-elections as part of its broader strategy.
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