In response to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allegations of rigging in the upcoming 2024 general elections, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui has challenged PTI lawmakers to resign from their positions and initiate a protest movement if they believe the elections are manipulated.
In a statement on Monday, Siddiqui said, “You [PTI lawmakers] are part of this system, enjoying the perks and privileges that come with being in parliament, all secured through the same elections you now claim are rigged.”
This response came after PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, and Salman Akram Raja, held a joint press conference in which they urged the judiciary to expedite cases related to the alleged election rigging and the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Siddiqui further questioned PTI’s stance, pointing out the hypocrisy of their claims. “If you allege the elections are rigged, then why are you benefiting from the same elections by holding office?” he said, highlighting that PTI had formed a government in a province based on the same allegedly rigged elections.
The PML-N senator also criticized PTI lawmakers for supporting the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025, which recently passed in the National Assembly with majority support. “You signed on to raise your own salaries, but now you claim the elections were fraudulent,” Siddiqui remarked.
Siddiqui also raised concerns about PTI’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asking, “Were the elections in KP organized by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, or were they supervised by some angels from heaven?”
In response to PTI’s claims about the treatment of their leader, Imran Khan, Siddiqui dismissed the allegations that Khan was being isolated in prison. Earlier, Ayub had claimed that jail amenities had been stripped from Khan, and that his access to visitors was being restricted.
Siddiqui countered by stating that Khan had more meetings than most of the thousands of prisoners in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail combined. He suggested that the PTI should follow prison regulations if they had legitimate concerns about the conditions of their leader’s confinement.
The senator concluded by reiterating that if PTI truly believed the election process was tainted, they should follow through on their claims by taking appropriate action, including resigning from parliament and organizing protests.
