The Islamabad chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has resolved to take part in the 2026 local government elections, the party said in a statement issued after a meeting led by its city president, Aamir Mughal.
According to the statement, Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen and Malik Aamir held more than 25 gatherings over three days across the capital’s three constituencies. The decision followed consultations with 400 office-bearers, 95 per cent of whom backed contesting the polls.
Nominations and candidate selection in Islamabad
Online consultations were also completed with office-bearers at regional, district, town and union council levels, along with every party wing. Office-bearers have been told to file nomination papers for each ward in every union council between November 2 and November 6.
Also read: Govt signals another delay in Islamabad local government polls
The party said workers who led the push for Imran Khan’s release and upheld his political outlook will get priority. Candidates will be drawn from people devoted to public service, and tickets will go to those of strong character.
PTI’s allegations over delays and the local law
PTI accused the government and the Election Commission of avoiding local polls after issuing the schedule four times. The party said it would force them to withdraw from the process a fifth time.
Calling the local government law flawed, PTI argued that elected representatives lack the authority even to ensure street and neighbourhood cleaning, with real powers remaining with the bureaucracy. It also objected to ending direct elections for chairmen and vice chairmen, calling it a precursor to rigging because councillors could be pressured or threatened.
PTI further questioned the release of results four days after polling, alleging the delay was meant to facilitate rigging. Despite these concerns, the party said it would defeat the government and sweep the polls, as it claimed to have done in the 2024 general elections.
