Salman Akram Raja signals clarity soon on PTI Senate nominees as police clash with workers at Gorakhpur checkpoint

Senior PTI leader Salman Akram Raja, Tuesda, indicated that the party’s official list of nominees for upcoming Senate elections, reportedly issued by party founder Imran Khan, will become fully clear within hours.

Speaking to journalists near the Gorakhpur checkpoint, where a tense standoff unfolded between police and PTI workers, Raja referenced last week’s developments, stating that lawyer Zaheer Abbas had provided a list handed down by the party founder. The list includes candidates for four general seats, one technocrat, and one women’s seat.

“I have no reason to doubt what Zaheer Abbas said,” Raja emphasised. “I don’t believe he would misrepresent anything. He brought the founder’s instructions, and the matter should be clarified soon.”

Raja acknowledged that internal discussions were ongoing within PTI regarding nominations, particularly for the fifth seat across various categories. He contrasted the process with other political parties, claiming, “Everywhere else, billionaires are handed tickets without debate, only in our party is this level of discussion taking place.”

He reiterated PTI’s principle of collective decision-making, saying, “No single person takes decisions in our party. The matter may reach Ali Amin, but I can’t say what pressure was involved.”

Touching on relations with the government, Raja clarified that dialogue has occurred in the past, including meetings in 2025, but stressed that the current setup has little influence. “They can’t even arrange a meeting with the founder. What’s left to talk about?”

He added that PTI is still awaiting a final word from Imran Khan regarding participation in the Senate. “If the founder does not extend the current arrangement, we’ll go by his decision.”

Meanwhile, tensions flared at the Gorakhpur checkpoint as police detained several PTI workers. Supporters gathered at the site clashed briefly with law enforcement, highlighting the volatile political atmosphere.