Zulfiqar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, July 29: With an appeal still pending before the Islamabad High Court, the Upper Chitral chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday urged the party’s central leadership to award the National Assembly ticket to a candidate from Upper Chitral if MNA Abdul Latif’s disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is upheld.
Speaking to ChitralToday, PTI Upper Chitral President Sikendarul Mulk asserted that the party commands overwhelming support in Upper Chitral – support that was instrumental in securing Abdul Latif’s sweeping victory in the February 2024 general elections.
He underscored that while PTI’s vote bank in Lower Chitral had significantly eroded – largely due to inroads made by JUI-F candidate Talha Mehmood – it was the steadfast electorate of Upper Chitral that ultimately carried the party across the finish line.
“With Abdul Latif’s disqualification looming large, it is imperative that PTI acknowledges Upper Chitral’s loyalty by awarding the National Assembly ticket here. Doing so would ensure another landslide victory.”
He described the public reaction to the disqualification as swift and visceral, with his phone “flooded with calls and messages” from constituents who view the ECP’s decision as a direct insult to their political mandate.
“The people of Chitral see this not merely as a legal matter but a moral injustice; they will not tolerate any erosion of their democratic choice,” he added.
Reiterating support for Imran Khan’s political ideology, Mulk called on party workers to prepare for a renewed electoral battle – one that would reaffirm Chitral’s status as a PTI stronghold.“
Let it be clear: any other candidate put forward, especially from outside the district, will face unequivocal rejection from the people,” he warned.
In a direct challenge to opposition parties, he criticized the potential candidacy of Talha Mehmood’s son, who is reportedly lobbying for the ticket through political connections, including ties with PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.
“He is welcome to campaign, but Chitral will not bow to outsiders. This seat belongs to the sons and daughters of this soil,” Mulk declared.
He further urged leaders of all political parties, including the PPP, to unite in opposing any non-local candidature, calling such a move a “deep insult” to the district’s democratic and cultural integrity.
With the future of PTI’s representation in Chitral hanging in the balance, the district’s political landscape is once again heating u, underscored by fierce local pride and an unflinching loyalty to the Khan-led vision.
Related: MNA Chitral Abdul Latif disqualified
The disqualification of Mr. Latif is still an unfolding legal matter. Although the ECP has disqualified him, he still has the right to challenge the decision through appeals in higher courts. What’s surprising & somewhat disappointing is that instead of standing by him during this crucial time, some senior PTI leaders in Chitral seem to be celebrating the decision. It gives the impression that they were eagerly waiting for this moment, rather than supporting Mr. Latif in his legal battle. Bringing a candidate from Upper Chitral now appears to be a calculated move, raising questions about internal party dynamics and long-standing political intentions.
We don’t support the PTI Upper Chitral president