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CHAKWAL: After sensing the danger of losing its iconic symbol \u2018bat\u2019, the embattled Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has chalked out a plan B: forging an alliance with its splinter PTI-Nazriati<\/a> group to use the \u2018batsman\u2019 symbol for its candidates, Dawn<\/em> learnt on Friday.<\/p>\n Sources privy to the developments said that an accord had been reached between the two parties after negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the Election Commission of Pakistan went to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Peshawar High Court, the party\u2019s leadership mulled over the option for an alternative electoral symbol,\u201d a source in the PTI told Dawn<\/em>. \u201cThe need was aggravated after remarks passed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa during a hearing<\/a> on Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n PTI officials believe that the \u2018bat\u2019 and \u2018batsman\u2019 symbols are similar, making it easier for voters to identify with PTI, the source explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chairman of PTI-Nazriati, Akhtar Iqbal Dar, has agreed to issue tickets to PTI\u2019s candidates on the symbol of batsman,\u201d another source said.<\/p>\n The PTI leadership took the decision to woo the Nazriati group, considering the possibility that the Election Commission of Pakistan would grant separate symbols to each party candidate, which would confuse voters.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the bat is denied, the PTI could inculcate easily in the voters\u2019 minds to stamp on the batsman,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n Interestingly, the PTI initially never wanted the \u201cbatsman\u201d symbol allocated to its splinter group. It urged the ECP in June 2022 not to allot the symbol to PTI-Nazriati, arguing that it would create confusion among the voters. However, the ECP did not entertain PTI\u2019s request.<\/p>\n The sources could not confirm the conditions under which PTI-Nazriati agreed to issue its tickets to PTI\u2019s candidates.<\/p>\n When contacted, a PTI-Nazriati official, who answered the call on the cell number of party chairman Akhtar Iqbal Dar, refused to comment. \u201cWe cannot comment on this issue right now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A spokesman for the PTI said the party was ready to accommodate some of the PTI-Nazriati candidates, hoping that its list of demands would not be a long one.<\/p>\n