Ali Mohammad Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi Speak Out on Pakistan’s Election Issues

Ali Mohammad Khan, a central leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has emphasized that the major issue in the country is not about re-election but about reclaiming the mandate. Speaking on ARY News’ program, ‘Aiteraz hai’, Khan stated that PTI and Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) both believed there was ‘fraud’ in the electoral process, although their perspectives are not entirely aligned.

Khan accused the Pakistan Election Commission of manipulating the clear mandate that PTI received, mentioning that an extremely crucial Form 45 was discarded during the elections, leading to what he describes as the ‘theft’ of PTI’s mandate. He added that if the mandate is given to PTI, it would secure a majority on the floor of the House. Discussions are ongoing with Fazlur Rehman, and PTI will apologize if proven wrong regarding the May 9 incident.

Criticizing Pakistan’s incumbent government’s alleged tactics to suppress PTI, party Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the country might not achieve political stability without recognizing the role of PTI founder Imran Khan. ‘Imran Khan is a political reality,’ said Qureshi during an informal interaction with journalists in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. He also criticized the numerous cases filed against him following the May 9 riots, noting that dozens of cases had been lodged against him within just one year, despite having no cases in his previous 39 years in politics.

The former ruling party has been facing a crackdown for its alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, which saw military installations, including Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and Lahore Corps Commander’s House, being vandalized by mobs.