ISLAMABAD – Former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan has renewedhis demand for free and fair general elections in the country shortly afterhis political party emerged victorious in by-elections in Punjab.
PTI won 15 seats while ruling PML-N bagged only four seats in by-electionsheld in 20 provincial assembly constituencies of Punjab.
The seats fell vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)disqualified 25 PTI lawmakers for giving votes to PML-N leader HamzaShahbaz in elections for Punjab chief minister slot.
The top election body held fresh elections in 20 constituencies as five ofthe disqualified members were elected on reserved seats.
In a couple of Tweets, Imran Khan congratulated PTI workers and allies fordefeating the PML-N in by-elections.
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“I want to first thank our PTI workers & voters of Punjab for defeating notjust PMLN candidates but the entire state machinery, esp harassment bypolice, & a totally biased ECP. Thank you to all our Allies, PMLQ, MWM &Sunni Ittehad Council,” he wrote.
“The only way forward from here is to hold fair & free elections under acredible ECP,” he said in a Twitter post. “Any other path will only lead togreater political uncertainty & further economic chaos.”
Meanwhile, the PML-N has conceded defeat in the election. Maryam NawazSharif, who led PML-N’s election campaing, said that the party shouldgenerously accept the results.
