The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has faced a series of events in recent days that have essentially eliminated its chances of contesting the elections as a party. Still, party circles continue to hint at a possible ‘plan C’, particularly on social media.

The supposed plan C originally involved putting the names of all PTI-backed candidates on a web portal as everyone would be allotted a different symbol. This would allow the public to find the PTI candidate in their constituency along with their symbol.

However, some speculated that even managing to get elected would leave the party at a disadvantage as it would be unable to get reserved seats which are awarded on a proportional system.

With the party’s major leadership in jail or hiding, and the rest embroiled in legal battles, there has been no official mention of the issue from any big PTI name.

Still, discussions continue over a possible strategy that would allow the party to organise its members after the polls and could even help it gain reserved seats in the assembly.

The plan supposedly involves all PTI-backed candidates joining another party to form a group. Such a measure would help the party get reserved seats as well.

Such a plan would also pacify fears among party members that even after getting elected as independents, the party’s members could be arm twisted into joining another party.

Many believe that if such a plan emerges, the Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen could be the answer. Old photos of Barrister Gohar’s meeting with MWM’s leadership are also being reshared online.

Another variation of this rumour involved the JUI-Sherani. However, the rumours were put to rest Sher Afzal Marwat tore up PTI’s alliance with the party on a recent whirlwind tour of Sindh.

While some speculate that PTI’s independents could end up joining the Pakistan Peoples Party to present more resistance to PMLN. However, Imran Khan has personally ruled out any alliance with the PPP during his interactions with reporters in Adiala Jail.

Another destination for PTI-backed candidates could be the Jamat-e-Islami which was an ally in the local government elections in Karachi. Hafiz Naeem has also called for PPP and PMLN’s intra-party elections to be scrutinised in line with PTI’s. However, the leadership of the two parties has seemingly not had any contact yet.