The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been embroiled in controversy after rejecting the nomination papers of Imran Khan and the majority of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party's top leaders. Meanwhile, the ECP approved the candidature of Nawaz Sharif from two National Assembly seats. Sharif's nomination papers acceptance has been challenged by PTI members, citing his lifetime disqualification by the Supreme Court in 2017.

Returning officers, who are bureaucrats, have rejected the nomination papers of several PTI leaders across the country, triggering claims of their involvement on the direction of the military establishment. This has led PTI members such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Moonis Elahi, and Zartaj Gul to challenge the rejection of their papers in election tribunals of the high court.

The military's involvement in the election process has been heavily criticized, with political observers alleging that the military has removed all legal and other hurdles in the way of Sharif becoming prime minister for a record fourth time. Additionally, the PTI has condemned the rejection of nomination papers of its candidates on flimsy grounds, labeling it as "state terrorism" and a "flagrant failure of the ECP." Despite these challenges, the PTI remains determined and unwavering as they prepare for the upcoming elections.