Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a former prime minister, claimed on Tuesday that deliberate manipulation tainted the by-elections in Punjab and accused the Punjab Police of engaging in rigging.
In the recent by-elections, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) enjoyed an easy ride, in contrast to the opposition’s stunning triumph in the general elections.
The majority of seats in the national and provincial assemblies that were contested on Sunday were won by the ruling party, according to unofficial data.
“Free and fair elections and the supremacy of law are essential components of democracy, but what we saw was jungle law.” “It is extremely concerning that the police are interfering in the Punjab by-elections,” he said to the journalists at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
Imran emphasized that by-elections were also held in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the province ruled by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which is supported by the PTI, and he stated that there were no cases of election manipulation in the province.
“At the moment, the country is devoid of all traces of democracy. Fearful of what might happen on February 8, the rigging was a preventative measure. The [general] elections were purposefully moved from October to February in order to stifle the PTI. He went on, “Even our Supreme Court suit went unanswered because it was waiting for the PTI to collapse.
Imran expressed regret that a variety of strategies were used in the run-up to the general elections to damage the PTI’s standing, turning a majority vote into a minority.
The former prime minister complained that the nation lacked constitutional government and that only the powerful possessed authority.
Investment in the country is hindered by the lack of security afforded to Pakistanis living abroad. He restated, “Transparent elections are fundamental to democracy and the basis of a stable administration.
Imran expressed worry that Pakistan’s future is being jeopardized by the current political system, emphasizing the need for open and responsible governance.
Imran questioned the necessity and viability of negotiations and alleged bargains, stating that the will of the masses, as seen on February 8, cannot be subverted.
He bemoaned the declining public confidence in the courts, emphasizing how the residents’ fundamental right to choose their representatives was being violated.
Imran highlighted his wife’s non-political position while expressing shock at the unfair treatment of his spouse. “Despite not being involved in politics, my wife is persecuted and imprisoned. Unfairly, cases have been filed against my three sisters. “My wife has never been involved in politics, unlike Maryam Nawaz and Benazir Bhutto,” he clarified.
Imran also emphasized the good diplomatic relations that his government has with Saudi Arabia, pointing to Pakistan’s hosting of the OIC Foreign Minister Conference as evidence of the cordial relations.
