ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and convictedex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday alleged that general elections2018 had been “stolen” to pave the way for the victory of PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

“Despite worst performance by the PTI chief in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hisvictory was engineered,” he said.

Reacting to the initial results of elections at Adiala Jail, where he isimprisoned in a corruption case, Nawaz Sharif said that he still stands bythe slogan ‘respect the vote’, adding that “we want to empower masses”.

“This is a result of ‘stolen’ election”, he added.

The PML-N supremo further expressed surprise over PML-N losing from NA-57and NA-108.

PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi lost to PTI’s Sadaqat Ali Abbasi from Muree’sNA-57, while in another major upset, PML-N’s Abid Sher Ali lost to PTI’sFarrukh Habib from NA-108.

Nawaz Sharif further said that future course of action will be formulatedby the party.