Pandemonium in PA over rigging allegation

Friction between treasury, opposition escalates over alleged ‘misconduct’

LAHORE:

In a heated session of the Punjab Assembly, both treasury and opposition lawmakers clashed over the validity of recent by-elections, each claiming to have the support of the public.

The session saw heated debates and accusations flying from both sides, with the opposition levelling allegations of unfairness and rigging in the electoral process.

Opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar launched a scathing attack on the provincial government, accusing them of using coercive tactics, including the Punjab police, to influence the election outcome.

Bhachar criticised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Inspector General of Police Punjab and other forces for allegedly interfering with the polling process, leading to what he described as the darkest chapter in Pakistan's electoral history.

In response, Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman rejected claims of rigging, asserting that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured victory in the by-elections fair and square.

He argued that voters had chosen PML-N over other parties, such as the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), and questioned what actions the government could take if supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not show up at polling stations.

Opposition leaders pressed the government on its track record, demanding to know what tangible benefits the PML-N had delivered to the people, prompting further criticism of the ruling party's governance.

Rana Aftab Khan, another prominent opposition figure, joined in condemning what he termed as rigged elections, while PTI representative Farhat Abbas accused the treasury of dismissing legitimate concerns.

The standoff underscores the deep divisions and political turmoil within the Punjab Assembly, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

As tensions escalated, the opposition highlighted the lack of a quorum once again, prompting the deputy speaker to order a headcount.

With the treasury failing to muster the required number of legislators to continue proceedings, the session was adjourned until Tuesday at 11am.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2024.