ISLAMABAD: In response to the allegations of election rigging made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui has challenged the PTI lawmakers to quit their positions in the assemblies and launch a protest movement if the upcoming 2024 elections are indeed rigged.
Siddiqui, in a statement issued on Monday, criticized PTI lawmakers, stating, “You [PTI lawmakers] are part of this set-up […] enjoying perks and privileges [after reaching the parliament] through the same elections.”
His remarks came after senior PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, and Salman Akram Raja, held a joint press conference in Islamabad. During the press conference, they called on the judiciary to expedite cases related to alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections and the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which is focused on judicial matters. They also reiterated their rejection of the election results.
Siddiqui stated that, in principle, if there were allegations of rigging, the election results should not be accepted, citing the historical precedent set in 1977 when the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) rejected the election results.
He pointed out that PTI lawmakers had benefited from the same elections they now claim were rigged, stating that the party’s members had used these elections to reach parliament and form a government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). He further referred to the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was passed earlier this month in the National Assembly, and noted that PTI lawmakers had signed the bill to raise their salaries, despite accusing the elections of being fraudulent.
Addressing PTI’s claim regarding the isolation of their party leader, Imran Khan, Siddiqui dismissed these concerns, stating that there were no issues with access to the former prime minister. Earlier, PTI leaders, including Ayub, had claimed that jail amenities were being denied to Imran Khan and that he was being kept in isolation at Adiala Jail. They also alleged that the number of meetings Imran Khan had in jail exceeded those of the thousands of other prisoners.
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Siddiqui responded by suggesting that PTI’s demands regarding Khan’s access should be made in accordance with jail regulations and not based on personal preferences.
The exchange of statements highlights the ongoing tensions between the two major political parties as Pakistan prepares for its 2024 general elections. The political landscape remains volatile, with both PTI and PML-N locked in a war of words over the legitimacy of the upcoming polls.
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