In a controversial political maneuver, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Ghulam Badshah, the personal driver of former first lady Bushra Bibi, as a covering candidate for a vacant Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The seat was left open following the disqualification of former senator Murad Saeed.
Internal Party Conflict Over Candidate Selection
According to insider sources, the nomination highlights significant internal discord within PTI and its opposition alliances. The party’s main candidate for the seat is Irfan Saleem, with Badshah and Sajjad Mohmand listed as covering candidates. However, the selection process was fraught with disagreement.
Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had reportedly proposed Akhundzada Hussain Yousafzai for the position. PTI’s parliamentary board rejected this suggestion, finalizing Saleem instead. Some party leaders expressed reservations about Saleem’s nomination due to his alleged involvement in May 9 cases.
Leadership Intervention and Rejected Compromises
Insiders reveal that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and leader Salman Akram Raja had initially agreed to include Yousafzai as a covering candidate. Gohar had assured that Yousafzai’s name would be accommodated. However, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi intervened, ensuring Badshah’s inclusion in place of Yousafzai.
Shahid Khattak also opposed Yousafzai’s inclusion in any capacity, while several party leaders raised objections to nominating Bushra Bibi’s driver as a covering candidate, questioning the political merit of the decision.
Background of the Vacant Seat
The Senate seat became vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Murad Saeed last month. Saeed was convicted in a May 9 case linked to the 2023 violent protests and sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi. His disqualification falls under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution.
Saeed was elected senator from KP in July 2025 but never took oath, remaining in hiding. He submitted his resignation in mid-February via a letter to the party chairman.
Election Schedule and Process
The ECP has issued the election schedule for the vacant seat:
- Polling will be held on April 23 at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
- Scrutiny of nomination papers concludes on April 10.
- Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nominations can be filed by April 13.
- The tribunal will dispose of appeals by April 15.
- The revised list of candidates will be published on April 16.
- The last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 17.
Polling will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Provincial Assembly Building in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
