MANSEHRA: Confusion exists about the PTI’s election nomination for NA-13, Mansehra, as the party on Friday withdrew its nominee, Ambreen Swati, and requested the relevant returning officer not to issue the bat symbol to her.

The returning officer called Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf district president Babar Saleem Swati and Ms Ambreen to appear before him today (Saturday) on the matter.

June 29 was the last day to withdraw nomination papers by election candidates.

PTI Senator Azam Khan Swati told reporters that the party had withdrawn its NA-13 ticket from Ms Ambreen after deciding to support Salah Mohammad Khan in the constituency in its ‘larger interest’.

He said he had called Ms Ambreen and asked her to withdraw her nomination papers in line with party chairman Imran Khan’s orders.

PTI Hazara division president Zargul Khan confirmed the development and said he had asked Ms Ambreen to withdraw her nomination papers from NA-13 to ensure independent Salah Mohammad’s victory against PML-N nominee Sardar Shahjehan Yousuf.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf district president Babar Saleem Swati said he on behalf of the party leadership had formally requested the NA-13 returning officer not to issue the PTI’s bat smbol to Ms Swati.

He said the returning officer had called him and Ms Ambreen to appear before it today (Saturday) on the matter.

Ms Ambreen however refused to withdrawn nomination papers and said she would contest elections at all costs.

“I submitted the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf ticket duly signed by (party chairman) Imran Khan to the returning officer.

If anybody tries to cancel my ticket, I will challenge this injustice in the court,” she told reporters.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2018