Estranged leader Akbar Babar assails PTI “bias”

On July 10, 2025, Dawn reported that Akbar S. Babar—once a founding member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)—criticised the party for displaying “premeditated bias” against him. Babar was barred from participating in PTI’s internal elections held in late 2023, a decision that former election commissioner Niazullah Niazi said had been struck down by the Supreme Court. Niazi claimed Babar’s nomination would have been dismissed during scrutiny. Babar countered that this exclusion exposed Niazi’s own entrenched prejudice, targeting him personally despite his foundational role in the party.