The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is facing a serious challenge in the upcoming general elections, as it may lose its iconic election symbol of ‘bat’ due to internal rifts and legal issues. However, the party has devised a contingency plan by forming an alliance with its breakaway faction, the PTI-Nazriati, which has the symbol of ‘batsman’.
According to sources, the PTI has directed its candidates to file nomination papers under the PTI-Nazriati group, in case they are unable to secure the ‘bat’ symbol. The PTI-Nazriati chairman, Akhtar Iqbal Dar, has confirmed that he has issued tickets to PTI’s candidates on the symbol of ‘batsman’, and expressed his support for the PTI’s agenda and vision.
The PTI is facing a tough competition from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which have retained their symbols of ‘lion’ and ‘arrow’ respectively. The PTI fears that losing the ‘bat’ symbol would confuse its voters and damage its chances of winning the elections.
The ‘bat’ symbol has been associated with the PTI since its inception in 1996, and has become a symbol of change and reform in Pakistani politics. The PTI claims that it has brought a new culture of accountability, transparency, and meritocracy in the country, and has delivered on its promises of improving the economy, health, education, and security.
The PTI-Nazriati, on the other hand, is a splinter group of the PTI that was formed in 2018, after some disgruntled members accused the PTI leadership of deviating from its core principles and ideology. The PTI-Nazriati claims that it represents the true spirit and vision of the PTI founder, Imran Khan, and that it is committed to restoring the original values and policies of the party.
The alliance between the PTI and the PTI-Nazriati is seen as a pragmatic move to overcome the legal and political hurdles that may prevent the PTI from using the ‘bat’ symbol. The PTI hopes that the ‘batsman’ symbol would be acceptable to its loyal supporters and voters, and that it would not affect its popularity and performance in the elections.
The PTI has also advised its candidates to take legal actions and lodge complaints with the election authorities, in case they face any difficulties or harassment in obtaining the ‘bat’ symbol. The PTI has also urged its workers and supporters to remain vigilant and united, and to campaign vigorously for the party’s candidates and manifesto.
The general elections in Pakistan are scheduled to be held on February 18, 2024, and will decide the fate of the incumbent PTI government, as well as the opposition parties. The elections are expected to be a close contest, with the PTI facing a strong challenge from the PML-N and the PPP, which have formed an alliance under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
The PTI has expressed confidence that it will win the elections with a clear majority, and will continue to serve the nation for another five years. The PTI has also claimed that it has the support of the masses, the media, the judiciary, and the establishment, and that it will not let any conspiracy or pressure derail its mission of building a ‘Naya Pakistan’.
