KARACHI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government of “stealing” the mandate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the February 8, 2024 general elections.
His remarks came a day after a PTI rally in Karachi, during which clashes erupted between police and party workers, leading to the arrest of more than 30 supporters.
Speaking to the media at the residence of PTI Karachi chapter Vice President Faheem Khan during his first visit to the city as chief minister, Afridi said PTI was deprived of its election symbol, its votes were stolen, and party founder Imran Khan was jailed.
PTI has repeatedly alleged that the ruling coalition, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), in coordination with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), manipulated election results to prevent the party from forming the government. The party maintains that it secured 174 out of 266 National Assembly seats based on Form 45, but results were altered through Form 47.
Afridi, who concluded a three-day visit to Sindh as part of PTI’s street mobilisation campaign, said the party’s mandate was taken away even before the introduction of recent constitutional amendments.
Separately, while addressing the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), the KP chief minister urged lawyers to launch a movement for the supremacy of law and the constitution, assuring them of PTI’s full support.
“We must stand up for our rights and not fear anyone,” he said, adding that PTI founder Imran Khan had always advocated peaceful struggle.
Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and is facing multiple cases, including corruption and terrorism-related charges, following his removal from office through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.