Sources revealed on Thursday that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the opposition have significantly advanced their discussions, reaching a broad understanding regarding the upcoming Senate elections on July 21. This move aims to fully capitalize on the prevailing political situation. In a late-night meeting between Wednesday and Thursday, both parties decided to resolve the matter through an uncontested vote.
According to sources, negotiations have led to a near agreement on a 6-5 formula, under which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would secure six seats, while the opposition would claim five. However, some internal issues within the PTI and the provincial government still require resolution. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reportedly been tasked with convincing other PTI candidates to withdraw from the Senate race to finalize this arrangement.
Both sides are keen to avoid a contested election, hoping to minimize potential political risks. Sources indicate that if a deal is not reached and a vote proceeds, the outcome could be uncertain, prompting a strong push to ensure all candidates are elected unopposed. The opposition has already agreed upon a joint strategy and is advocating for its candidates to be elected unopposed. Conversely, the PTI is grappling with internal disputes, with several leaders protesting that they were denied the tickets they believed they deserved.
A final round of talks between the two factions is anticipated today [Thursday], where participants will be asked to endorse the decisions made during the overnight meeting. Following this meeting, leaders from the ruling PTI and opposition parties are expected to hold a joint press conference. Sources suggest there is a near consensus on holding uncontested elections, with only a few minor details left to finalize.
Oath-taking of Elected MPAs Mandatory, Reiterates ECP
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) informed the province’s governor and chief minister earlier this week that the notified MPAs on reserved seats cannot participate in assembly sessions or vote in Senate polls unless they have officially taken their oath.
ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan urged both the governor and the Chief Minister to immediately summon an assembly session for the oath-taking of the returned candidates to ensure the completion of the electoral college. He stated that the electoral body is constitutionally obligated to conduct the Senate elections in KP, for which July 21 has been set as the date. However, he noted that the matter of administering the oath to the elected candidates remains pending and has been delayed.
Citing the Supreme Court constitutional bench’s verdict, he highlighted that a notification of successful candidates on reserved seats for women and non-Muslims was issued on July 2, 2025. Yet, these members have not yet been sworn in, precluding their participation in assembly sessions or voting. The ECP secretary pointed out that earlier, on July 4, the KP Assembly speaker was requested to administer the oath to the members elected on reserved seats. The speaker, however, responded that an assembly session was not currently underway, and therefore, he could not convene one. The ECP secretary maintained that under Article 109 of the Constitution, the governor possesses the discretionary power to summon a session of the provincial assembly.
