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PTI, Opposition Eye Consensus for Unopposed Senate Elections in KP to Curb Horse Trading
Backdoor talks intensify between PTI & opposition to avoid horse trading in KP Senate polls. Opposition demands 5 of 11 seats; consensus likely within 24 hours.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-16
PTI, Opposition Eye Consensus for Unopposed Senate Elections in KP to Curb Horse Trading

Political maneuvering behind the scenes has accelerated as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and opposition parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa engage in intense talks to reach a consensus for unopposed Senate elections, in a bid to prevent horse trading and ensure transparency.

Reliable sources have revealed that both sides are seriously exploring the possibility of electing all 11 Senate candidates from KP unopposed, a move seen as a strategic effort to maintain the credibility of the electoral process amid growing concerns over vote-buying.

According to insiders, the opposition has demanded five seats out of the total 11 from the province. PTI, which holds numerical strength in the provincial assembly, is consulting internally, with some party leaders showing willingness to accept the demand, while others prefer going ahead with regular elections.

“There is cautious optimism that a consensus may be reached by this evening or tomorrow,” one source close to the negotiations told reporters, indicating that senior leadership on both sides is actively involved in backchannel discussions.

The move comes as Pakistan braces for its upcoming Senate elections, often marred by allegations of corruption and backdoor deals. In KP, where PTI maintains dominance, the proposal for unopposed elections is viewed as a preventive strategy to avoid intra-party rebellion and opposition maneuvering.

If successful, this would result in all 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being filled without a contest, a rare outcome that could set a precedent for future parliamentary negotiations.

Observers note that while the strategy may avert immediate political instability and reputational damage, power-sharing arrangements and future policy cooperation could become critical in sustaining this temporary consensus.

With the political temperature rising, all eyes are now on whether the PTI leadership and opposition can finalize the deal — or if internal resistance within parties will derail the effort, leading to a contested and potentially controversial election.

 
Tagged:

PTI

KPKPolitics

SenateElections

UnopposedElections

HorseTrading
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