ISLAMABAD: PTI leaders launched a verbal barrage on the ruling alliance on Saturday as the PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari seized the presidential throne in what they termed an “illegal” election.
However, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the presidential candidate of the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), described the election as historic. He highlighted that for the first time, votes were not bought or sold during the polling process for the key post
Addressing the media outside the Parliament House after the election, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan took a direct jab at Zardari, referring to him as the “king of corrupt elements” and asserting that he is being imposed on the country.
Another PTI leader, Asad Qaiser, criticised the entire election process, deeming it controversial. Qaiser argued that presidential elections are illegal as legislatures are incomplete due to non-allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities to the SIC.
He added that the PTI is gearing up for a legal battle and will also seek justice from the people.
Barrister Ali Zafar, also speaking on the occasion, questioned how individuals were allowed to vote when the issue of reserved seats was still under court scrutiny.
PTI leaders contended that the ruling coalition has a history of acquiring positions through questionable means, claiming that Shehbaz Sharif also became the prime minister of the country by stealing elections.
PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan accused those rejected by the people of being given positions in an illegitimate manner. Barrister Gohar emphasised that occupying constitutional positions unconstitutionally violates the Constitution.
He expressed concern over the growing influence of two prominent families, the Sharifs and Zardaris, not only on the country’s resources but now on democratic institutions as well.
PTI leader Amir Dogar, addressing the gathering, asserted that the ruling coalition had stolen the PTI’s mandate, labelling the elections as controversial.
In a statement, the PTI spokesperson announced a peaceful protest to be held across the country on Sunday (today), aiming to reclaim what he referred to as the ‘stolen mandate.’
Earlier, Zardari, the ruling alliance’s chosen candidate, clinched the presidency for the second time, dealing a blow to the PTI-supported Sunni Ittehad Council nominee Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Speaking to journalists outside the Parliament House after the elections, Achakzai while thanking the PTI for supporting his candidacy, noted that the election took place in a wonderful environment.
“In this election, something unique happened. For the first time, votes were neither bought nor sold. Previously, members were considered commodities, but now there’s a change, which is a positive development,” he added.
Achakzai said some people believe everything in Pakistan can be bought and sold, but there are also those who oppose this notion. “I am grateful to be among those who oppose it.”
He mentioned that in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, all 90 members of Imran Khan’s party voted for him. “In Punjab, too, all the party members voted for me. I received more votes in the National Assembly and Senate than the total number of SIC members. I am also thankful to all of them.”
The politician revealed that some lawmakers told him they wanted to vote for him but could not do so due to instructions from their party leaderships.
“A young lawmaker voted for me despite being warned by one of his colleagues that there are cameras [in the polling area] and he might be held accountable for voting against his party line,” he said. “The young man replied to his colleague that he had cast his vote and was ready to face the consequences.”
The opposition candidate stated that in the National Assembly and the Senate, people who were not members of the SIC also voted for him. “Someone was ill in Akhtar Mengal’s family, but he also stayed here and cast his vote,” he said.
