The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and opposition parties in Pakistan have reached an agreement regarding uncontested Senate elections, as confirmed by sources on July 18, 2025. This consensus permits six candidates from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and five candidates from the opposition to secure their seats without facing any competition.
Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah confirmed this development, emphasising a unified approach despite challenges within the parties. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur played a pivotal role in facilitating late-night negotiations and recorded a video message to affirm the agreement. This consensus resolves rifts within the opposition and paves the way for oath-taking in the provincial assembly. However, the PTI is still dealing with dissent from members who have been denied tickets.
The deal designates these unopposed winners:
- PTI: Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Mirza Afridi, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Azam Swati, Rubina Naz
- Opposition: Talha Mehmood, Attaul Haq, Rubina Khalid, Dilawar Khan, Niaz Ahmad
Negotiations in the provincial capital involved opposition figures such as Senator Talha Mehmood, Ataul Haq Darwesh, MPA Sajjadullah, and Dr Ibadullah from the PML-N. Gandapur addressed PTI’s disgruntled members to build broader support.
The opposition overcame internal divisions when PML-N withdrew its nominee for the minority seat in favour of JUI-F’s candidate.
Read: PML-N Gains Extra Seat in KP Assembly, PTI-P and ANP
CM Gandapur signed a summary to convene the KP Assembly on July 20, 2025, forwarding it to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Newly elected members, who will occupy reserved seats for women and minorities, will take their oaths during the session.
PTI established a three-member committee to handle dissent. Members like Irfan Saleem, Khurram Zeeshan, and Ayesha Bano, who were denied Senate tickets, refused to withdraw their candidacies. They met PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja to voice frustrations over the nomination process. Raja plans to meet Gandapur with them later today.
