Peshawar: Opposition parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have decided to submit nomination papers for the upcoming election of the province’s new Chief Minister, signaling an active contest against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate.
According to political sources, consultations are in progress among the opposition parties to field a joint candidate for the Chief Minister’s position. However, despite several rounds of talks, no consensus has yet been reached on a single name.
Sources confirm that both the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F) have finalized their respective nominees for the top provincial slot. Each party is determined to assert its influence within the opposition alliance, which is trying to counter PTI’s dominance in the KP Assembly.
Political observers say the negotiations aim to avoid splitting the opposition vote and to strengthen their stance against PTI’s majority. However, differences over leadership preferences and internal party priorities are delaying the formation of a unified strategy.
Efforts are expected to continue until the last moment before the official submission of nomination papers, as both sides weigh the political implications of running separate candidates versus presenting a united front.
If the parties fail to agree on a single nominee, the contest for the Chief Minister’s seat may turn into a multi-cornered race, complicating the opposition’s ability to challenge PTI’s candidate effectively.
