The PPP on Thursday withdrew its decision to form an electoral alliance with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at the local level during the upcoming by-election in Chakwal, thus widening the rift between the two opposition parties.

"The PPP will not support the PTI in the by-polls in Chakwal," PPP leader Chaudhary Manzoor Ahmed said.

The decision was taken following consultations with the senior party leaders after PTI Chairman Imran Khan lashed out at the PPP during a public meeting in Chakwal, he added.

"Imran Khan had requested [the PPP] for support [in Chakwal] but then levelled unfounded criticism against the leadership," Ahmed added.

Office-bearers of the PPP had asked the party's leadership to reverse its decision of forming an alliance with the PTI in the by-election in PP-23 Chakwal-IV after Imran Khan lashed out at the PPP during the public gathering last week.

Khan had lashed out at the PPP leadership — particularly former president Asif Zardari — even when he was reminded by party spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry that they had a seat adjustment with the PPP in the area.

The PTI chief had alleged that the PPP and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) have entered into a deal to save each other from accountability.

District Election Commissioner in Chakwal served Imran Khan a show-cause notice after his tirade, accusing the PTI chief of violating the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) code of conduct as he campaigned in the district ahead of upcoming by-polls.

The notice explained that the ECP had already issued a code of conduct to all parties participating in the by-election in PP-23 Chakwal-IV.

The by-election in Punjab Assembly’s constituency PP-23 (Chakwal-IV) will be held on April 18. The seat had fallen vacant after the death of PML-N MPA Malik Zahoor Anwar in February.