The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has selected Mashal Yousafzai as its candidate for the upcoming Senate by-election for a reserved women’s seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This seat became vacant following Sania Nishtar’s resignation earlier this month.
PTI founder Imran Khan has directed the issuance of a party ticket, as confirmed by party sources. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar released an official notification instructing all other candidates—including Sajida Begum, Mumena Basit, Samira Shams, and Saima Khalid—to withdraw their candidacies by July 30.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled polling for July 31, 2025, to fill the vacant seat.
Read: PTI Senate Covering Candidates Withdraw for Unopposed Wins in KP
Maryam Riaz Wattoo, sister of Bushra Bibi, clarified that the PTI founder’s wife did not play a role in recommending Mashal Yousafzai for the Senate candidacy. “I am 100 per cent sure that Bushra Bibi did not recommend Mashal Yousafzai for any role, including the Senate seat,” Maryam stated. She also added, “Barrister Saif presented a list to the PTI founded,r Imran Khan. We don’t know what was told to him or what approval he granted.”
The by-election represents a key development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political landscape, as PTI prepares to select its next representative in the Senate.
