“Discussions are ongoing on all the important issues regarding the conduct of intra-party elections. No decision has been taken regarding the non-participation of Chairman Imran Khan in the election or to nominate any other leader,” a spokesperson for the former ruling party said.

The Election Commission of Pakistan had ordered the PTI to conduct intra-party elections within 20 days and submit a report within seven days to keep ‘bat’ as its electoral symbol.

Later, sources said that the party decided to hold its intra-party elections and issued a schedule for the elections on Friday. However, the chairman spot will not be up for contest.

The rebuttal about Khan’s participation in the elections came soon after PTI Senior Vice President Sher Afzal Marwat said that Khan had decided to withdraw from the intra-party election.

“Imran Khan cannot contest the election for the post of party chairman due to the verdict in the Toshakhana case and his disqualification,” he added.

However, he said that the PTI chief would be elected chairman of the party once the courts set aside his conviction and disqualification.

The party spokesperson has now denied Marwat’s claim regarding Khan’s non-participation in the intra-party elections.

“As soon as the leadership reaches a consensus on all the important issues including the conduct of elections, date and procedure, and the selection of candidates, it will be officially released,” the PTI spokesperson said.