ISLAMABAD: Following the ruling coalition’s claimed victory in the recent by-elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday challenged the government, asserting that it could outperform its rivals if given a transparent and level playing field under the supervision of an impartial Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Speaking at a press conference, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram sharply criticized what he described as massive rigging in the recently held by-polls and reiterated the party’s calls for electoral reforms to ensure fair and impartial elections.
He expressed concern over what PTI sees as increasing political repression, with elected representatives being sidelined through “unfair” disqualifications and the imposition of unequal electoral conditions.
Drawing historical parallels, Akram warned that the current political climate resembled the events leading up to the 1971 crisis, where the denial of political mandates and a lack of inclusive decision-making contributed to national turmoil.
He emphasized that Pakistan is facing a series of intertwined political, economic, social, and security challenges, urging the government to take corrective action to prevent further instability.
He also revisited PTI’s stance on the February 2024 general elections, claiming the party’s mandate had been “undermined” through alleged electoral rigging, delayed results, and the disqualification of PTI candidates.
He criticized the allocation of reserved seats for women, arguing that it had resulted in an “artificial majority” that enabled the passage of controversial constitutional amendments.
Akramalso recalled the events surrounding the 1970 elections, which saw the Awami League’s victory ultimately thwarted by political decisions that led to the escalation of tensions.
He stressed that the lessons of that period should guide present-day governance, warning that political exclusion could deepen national divisions.
He further highlighted PTI’s past electoral performances, particularly Imran Khan’s significant public support in the 2022 by-elections, and argued that the party’s popularity could not be accurately assessed through what it views as “controlled” or “manipulated” elections.
On the state of political alliances, he cautioned that tensions might arise between the ruling coalition’s key players, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as past alliances had often proven to be short-term arrangements with long-term costs.
In closing, Akram called for fresh elections, challenging the government to seek a renewed mandate, and vowed that PTI was ready to contest a nationwide poll under a unified electoral symbol.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.