LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has officially announced a boycott of the upcoming by-elections, following the directives of its jailed party founder, Imran Khan. The party confirmed it will not participate in any by-polls except for the vacant seat of Mian Azhar, leaving only one constituency contested under PTI’s banner.
In addition, PTI declared a boycott of the Senate election for the seat vacated by Ijaz Chaudhry. The decision, party sources said, came directly from Imran Khan, who continues to exert strong influence over PTI’s strategy despite being incarcerated at Adiala Jail.
According to PTI’s statement, this move is a political protest against what the party describes as the “unjust punishment” of its leaders and workers in connection with the May 9 cases. The leadership alleged that PTI members were denied their fundamental rights, calling the cases an example of political victimization and retaliation.
Earlier, PTI had nominated Salma Ijaz, wife of the late Ijaz Chaudhry, as its candidate for the vacant Senate seat, in line with Imran Khan’s instructions. However, with the boycott decision, the nomination is now effectively withdrawn.
The party’s central leadership stated that this step was meant to send a clear political message: PTI will not endorse or participate in what it considers a biased and unfair electoral process.
Meanwhile, developments continue on the legal front. An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi has admitted for hearing seven bail petitions filed by Imran Khan’s legal team in cases registered under terrorism charges. The applications were submitted by Khan’s lawyers, including Salman Safdar and Hassnain Murtaza Sunbal.
The cases, registered at New Town, Naseerabad, Taxila, City, and Civil Lines police stations last year, accuse the PTI founder of conspiracy, incitement to violence, arson, and plotting murder. Previously, the ATC had remanded him to judicial custody, but his legal team is now seeking relief through bail. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 1, 2025.
Imran Khan’s incarceration and PTI’s electoral boycott have further intensified Pakistan’s already heated political climate, with analysts saying the move could significantly impact the country’s democratic process and upcoming political landscape.
