ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a certificate regarding the intra-party elections conducted by the splinter group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), known as PTI-Nazriyati, formally recognising the process carried out by the faction.
The electoral body recently released a detailed notification pertaining to PTI-Nazriyati’s intra-party elections, confirming that the process fulfils the legal requirements and qualifies the party to retain its election symbol, “batsman”. The development is being seen as a significant administrative step for the faction within the broader political landscape.
“In pursuance of Sections 208 & 209 (3) of the Elections Act, 2017, read with sub-rule (2) of Rule 158 of the Election Rules, 2017 thereof, the Election Commission of Pakistan is pleased to publish for public information the Certificate containing the information with regard to the conduct of intra-party bye-election held on 07.01.2026, the detail of election result, along with a copy of the notification showing the names, designations and addresses of the office-bearers in respect of political party ‘Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Nazriyati)’…,” the notification states in formal legal language.
According to the notification and certificate issued on the orders of the Election Commission, all office-bearers of PTI-Nazriyati have been elected unopposed. These include Chairman Akhtar Iqbal Dar, Vice-Chairman Muhammad Shahbaz Aslam, and Secretary General Riaz Ahmad, among others, whose appointments have now been formally notified.
PTI-Nazriyati emerged in 2012 following reported differences between Akhtar Iqbal Dar and the central leadership of PTI, marking a notable split within the party’s ideological ranks. Over the years, the faction has maintained a separate organisational identity while continuing to assert its political presence.
Prior to the 2024 general elections, efforts were made to field candidates from this splinter group using its designated election symbol. This came after the Election Commission denied the original PTI the use of its traditional “bat” symbol due to issues identified in its intra-party election process, thereby reshaping electoral strategies for both factions.
The main PTI had also approached the Election Commission in this regard; however, its initiative did not succeed. The matter concluded with a clear directive issued by the electoral body, instructing Returning Officers (ROs) to refrain from allotting a political party’s symbol to candidates who do not belong to that specific party.
A five-member bench of the commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, issued a comprehensive order in this regard. The ruling stated: “Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred upon the commission under Section 4 of the Elections Act 2017, the commission hereby directs that no symbol of any political party be allowed to any such candidate who is a member of a political party and seeks allocation of the symbol of another political party. All such applications be rejected accordingly and be processed in accordance with the law, strictly in terms of the apex court,” it declared.
In a related development, Akhtar Iqbal Dar had also reportedly declined to sign an accord with PTI for the issuance of party tickets to candidates contesting elections from his platform, further underscoring the divergence between the two groups.
Separately, the Election Commission has issued a similar notification and certificate to another political entity, Mazloom Olsi Tehreek Pakistan. The notification reads: “In pursuance of Sections 208 & 209 (3) of the Elections Act, 2017, read with sub-rule (2) of Rule 158 of the Election Rules, 2017 thereof, the Election Commission of Pakistan is pleased to publish for public information the certificate containing the information with regard to the conduct of intra-party elections held on 02.09.2025, the detail of election result, along with a copy of the notification showing the names, designations and addresses of the office-bearers in respect of political party ‘Mazloom Olsi Tehreek Pakistan’…”.
As per the notification, Muhammad Sadiq has been elected as chairman of the party, while Gul Muhammad Achakzai has been elected as general secretary, both unopposed, reflecting a similar pattern of uncontested internal elections.
