Islamabad: Junaid Akbar, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and lawmaker from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), delivered a fiery speech during the second session of the newly elected National Assembly, expressing strong opposition to the ruling alliance and vowing to disrupt the functioning of the assembly until their demands are met.
In his address, Akbar unequivocally stated that his party does not recognize the legitimacy of the current assembly, alleging that the PTI’s mandate was stolen during the February 8 general elections. The PTI has consistently claimed that the elections were rigged and accused the caretaker government of creating an unfair electoral environment.
Akbar also criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accusing them of engaging in horse-trading and unethical practices to secure support. He alleged that lawmakers were coerced or bribed during the election process, undermining the integrity of the electoral system.
Furthermore, Akbar highlighted instances of discrimination against the PTI, particularly referencing the revocation of their electoral symbol ‘bat’ following the May 9 riots. These riots erupted across the country after the arrest of a former prime minister in a corruption case, leading to widespread unrest and violence.
The PTI leader condemned what he perceived as unfair treatment by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), claiming that PTI-backed candidates were given inappropriate election symbols during the electoral process.
Moreover, Akbar accused the establishment of orchestrating two assassination attempts against the PTI founder, Imran Khan, and highlighted instances of violence and persecution against PTI supporters, including the loss of lives and registration of sedition cases.
Overall, Akbar’s speech reflects the PTI’s strong stance against perceived injustices and electoral irregularities, signaling their determination to challenge the ruling alliance and demand accountability within the political system.
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