LAHORE: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has congratulated Makhdoom Tahir Rasheed on winning the NA-171 by-Poll in Rahimyar Khan, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the Punjab administration of electoral malpractice.
PPP Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza, during a press conference, claimed that the victory stemmed from PTI’s internal issues, calling it a “self-inflicted blow” by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on his own party. He further stated that the public had rejected PTI’s political approach, with the NA-171 win reflecting a wider vote of no-confidence in the party’s ideology.
In response to a query, Murtaza referred to the PPP’s partnership with PML-N as “burden sharing,” emphasizing that imposing Governor’s Rule was inappropriate in a parliamentary democracy. Party members Syed Ahsen Rizvi and Edwin Sahutra also attended the press briefing.
On the other hand, PTI leader and former provincial minister Ejaz Shafi dismissed PPP’s victory, claiming it was the result of extensive rigging. He alleged that PTI polling agents were forcibly removed and that vote counting took place in their absence at around 60 polling stations. Shafi also claimed pre-signed Form 45s were used to favor the PPP candidate.
Additionally, Shafi revealed that two PTI MPAs, Ayaz Bodla and Rana Jahanzaib, were detained, with one being relocated to Sukkur. Despite these alleged tactics, Shafi insisted that PTI’s popularity was growing, predicting a revolutionary comeback for the party in the near future.
