PTI Fields Bushra Bibi’s Driver as Covering Candidate for Murad Saeed’s Vacant Senate Seat

Islamabad/Peshawar: In a surprising political development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Irfan Saleem as its official candidate for the vacant Senate seat previously held by Murad Saeed, while Ghulam Badshah — the personal driver of Bushra Bibi (wife of PTI founder Imran Khan) — has been named as the covering (dummy) candidate.
According to party sources, the decision was taken amid internal deliberations for the by-election on the seat that fell vacant after Murad Saeed’s departure. PTI has officially issued the ticket to Irfan Saleem, while Ghulam Badshah has been fielded as a covering candidate, a common electoral strategy used to safeguard the main nominee or manage legal and procedural requirements.
The move has sparked curiosity and discussion within political circles, with many viewing the inclusion of Bushra Bibi’s driver as a symbolic or tactical choice reflecting the party’s unique style of candidate selection during challenging times.
Murad Saeed, a prominent PTI leader and former federal minister, had been elected to the Senate from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His seat became vacant due to resignation or disqualification, triggering the need for a by-election.
PTI sources maintain that the party remains united and is actively preparing for the contest. The final nomination and election process will be overseen by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) according to Senate rules.
This development comes as PTI continues to navigate internal and external political pressures while fielding candidates for key legislative positions.