PTI Aligns with Sunni Ittehad Council for By-Elections
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party founded by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has announced that it will contest the upcoming by-elections using the platform of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
The decision was confirmed by PTI’s central spokesperson, Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a statement posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He said that all PTI-backed candidates across the country will run on SIC tickets.
According to Akram, this step was taken in line with directives issued by the party’s leadership. The announcement ends speculation over how PTI would field its candidates in the absence of its traditional electoral symbol, which was stripped by the Election Commission of Pakistan earlier this year.
Political Committee Meeting and Imran Khan’s Input
The announcement followed a key meeting of PTI’s political committee, which reviewed the country’s wider political climate and the party’s strategy. The meeting also discussed guidance provided by Imran Khan, who remains behind bars but continues to direct party policy through his aides.
A party statement said that Khan had delegated the final decision on contesting by-elections to the political committee. After consultations, the committee recommended that PTI-backed candidates should run on SIC’s platform.
This arrangement is seen as a tactical move to maintain PTI’s presence in parliament while navigating restrictions imposed by electoral authorities.
First Candidates Announced
So far, PTI has introduced two candidates under the SIC banner. Munza Fatima will contest for the Punjab Assembly seat in constituency PP-87, while Ain Ahmed has been nominated for the National Assembly seat in NA-66.
The party has indicated that names for remaining constituencies will be announced soon. Analysts suggest that PTI is expected to field candidates in several key battleground constituencies, where its vote bank remains strong despite mounting legal and political challenges.
Why the Sunni Ittehad Council?
The Sunni Ittehad Council, a registered political party, has historically represented certain religious groups but has limited influence in national politics. By joining hands with SIC, PTI is able to provide its candidates with a legal platform and access to election symbols for the upcoming polls.
Observers believe this partnership is largely a technical arrangement rather than a full political alliance. PTI has previously pursued similar strategies to ensure its candidates can contest elections despite administrative and legal hurdles.
Broader Context: PTI’s Ongoing Struggles
PTI has faced significant challenges since the removal of Imran Khan as prime minister in 2022. Following Khan’s arrest in multiple cases, the party has been under pressure from both the judiciary and the Election Commission.
In early 2024, the Election Commission denied PTI the right to use its traditional electoral symbol — the cricket bat — citing internal party election irregularities. This decision forced PTI candidates to run as independents during the February general elections, significantly weakening the party’s performance.
By shifting to SIC’s platform, PTI aims to consolidate its support base and avoid fragmentation of votes in upcoming by-elections.
By-Elections: A Test for PTI’s Strength
The upcoming by-elections are being viewed as an important test of PTI’s resilience, especially after PTI’s announcement to contest nationwide by-elections They will show whether the party can mobilize supporters despite leadership setbacks and restrictions.
For PTI, the stakes are high. Success in these elections could signal that the party remains a dominant political force despite institutional hurdles. Failure, however, may weaken its bargaining position in the evolving political landscape.
Looking Ahead
With only two candidates announced so far, PTI is expected to release a full list of nominees in the coming days. Campaigning is likely to intensify once the Election Commission finalizes schedules and polling arrangements.
While PTI insists that its candidates remain loyal to Imran Khan, the use of SIC tickets reflects the party’s pragmatic approach to staying politically relevant. How voters respond to this arrangement will be closely watched across Pakistan.
