Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its decision to contest the upcoming local government elections in Islamabad, directing its district and town organisations to submit nomination papers across all union councils between November 2 and 6.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled polling for December 20, following several previous postponements.
PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal confirmed the decision on Wednesday, saying the party intended to field candidates across all 125 union councils in the federal capital.
“We have decided to contest elections on all 125 seats of union councils,” Mughal told Dawn.
He said the decision followed extensive consultations with party workers and residents across Islamabad, with an overwhelming majority reportedly supporting participation in the elections.
According to Mughal, more than 95 per cent of the people consulted favoured contesting the polls, regardless of the electoral symbols allotted to PTI-backed candidates.
“They were of the view that the government can not do more than what it is already doing with the party. So we will contest without going into what kind of election symbols are allotted to our candidates,” he said.
Mughal also expressed concern about the possibility of another postponement, pointing out that the ECP had already delayed the local government elections four times. He alleged that PTI’s popularity could lead to further delays.
In a separate statement issued on Wednesday, the party said its Islamabad leadership, including Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen and Malik Aamir, had conducted more than 25 meetings across the capital’s three electoral constituencies over the preceding three days.
The statement said approximately 400 party office-bearers participated in a series of online consultations before the decision was finalised.
Those consulted represented regional and district organisations, eight town organisations, all 125 union councils and several party wings, including the labour wing, Insaf Students Federation, youth, traders and women’s wings.
Members of the party’s advisory council, working committee and core committee also participated in the discussions.
PTI said 95 per cent of the office-bearers consulted supported taking part in the elections.
Outlining its candidate selection priorities, the party said it would favour individuals committed to public service and aligned with the political principles of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Preference would be given to party workers who had demonstrated dedication, determination and commitment during the party’s political activities, the statement added.
The party also pledged to press for the elections to proceed according to the announced schedule, citing repeated delays in holding local government polls in the capital.