Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan warned the ‘powers that be’ on Tuesday that the only way out of the quagmire that the alleged US conspiracy against his government had landed Pakistan in would be to hold free and fair by-elections on July 17, which he called their “first test” to prove neutrality.
Speaking at back-to-back rallies in Bhakkar and Layyah, the former prime minister claimed that the government led by the PML-N cannot win by-elections without ‘massive rigging.’ He addressed an enraged mob in Layyah that “they could only win elections by rigging and fear” and ordered them to watch over polling places on election day. Mr. Khan has made references to possible manipulation in the lead-up to the by-elections for 20 seats in Punjab later this week previously. Additionally, he has claimed that the Punjab-based Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) are working together. “Mr X is in Lahore… we know what he’s been up to,” Imran Khan said, referring to the mysterious person accused of rigging elections on behalf of the PML-N. He went on to say that ‘Mr X’
has met with Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz, and that Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja “goes and sits in their feet.” They are working to ensure the PML-victory, N’s according to the PTI chief.
“I want to send a message to all Pakistanis and those in positions of real power… these [PTI supporters] are the people who took to the streets for Pakistan’s future… They do not want to endanger their country. “The only way to undo the consequences of the conspiracy [against the PTI government] is to hold transparent elections,” Mr Khan said to his supporters in Layyah.
“If attempts are made to rig elections, I am sure Pakistan will face a [political] crisis like Sri Lanka… the game will be out of your hands then,” he warned the establishment. Mr Khan stated that people who cared about Pakistan wanted free and fair elections, and that the by-elections on July 17 will be “your first test” in this regard. Similar election rigging claims were made by the PTI leader in his Bhakkar rally, citing a “Mr Y” who had been sent to Multan by a “Mr X” who was based in Lahore to rig the impending by-elections. “Mr. X, I’ve heard that you dispatched Mr. Y to Multan to rig the by-election, according to what I’ve been told. Mr. X and Mr. Y, I dare you that despite all attempts to rig the election [on July 17], my country will force you to concede defeat and win the election.
The PTI leader spoke at the rally about PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal, who had received jeers from a pro-PTI family a few days earlier. The family later sent a Sunday apology to the planning minister. In response to Mr. Iqbal “pressuring the family through intermediaries to tender an apology,” Mr. Khan called him “shameless and a coward.” Since the “current government had utilized its authority to gain relief in Rs1.1 trillion corruption cases” by altering the NAB law, the ex-PM declared that he would continue to refer to Iqbal and his leaders as “dacoits.”
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
