Introduction: Why PTI Decided to Protest

On February 8, 2024, Pakistan conducted its general election. Allegations arose regarding poll rigging, with claims that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Establishment collaborated to manipulate the results. The rigging reportedly affected approximately 80 seats in the National Assembly.

During the night of the elections, independent candidates from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were initially leading. An illustrative case is that of Muhammad Bashrat Raja, a PTI independent candidate. At the point when 80% of the votes were counted, Raja had secured 76,380 votes, while Malak Ibrar Ahmed, the PML-N candidate, had 36,618 votes. However, as the final results were announced, Ahmed’s votes surged to 78,542, while Raja’s count dropped to 67,101. This raised concerns about the sudden decrease in votes despite the substantial lead during the initial count.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further scrutiny revealed discrepancies in Form 45, where PTI was initially credited with around 179 or 180 seats in the National Assembly. However, Form 47 presented a different outcome, reducing PTI’s seats to approximately 107. These discrepancies in the forms became a significant factor prompting PTI to launch a nationwide protest against the alleged poll rigging.

For additional details on poll rigging, Click here.

Protest on February 17: Authorities’ Crackdown and Arrests

In the February 17 protest, as people gathered to express their dissent, the Establishment responded by imposing Section 144 to deter and arrest protestors. Despite this, the protestors remained undeterred, and the authorities arrested female PTI workers in Islamabad, as depicted in the video provided.

Notably, families were also affected by these arrests, adding to the gravity of the situation.

Furthermore, Senior Supreme Court Lawyer Salman Akram Raja was detained in Lahore for participating in the protest against the alleged election rigging, marking an extremely shameful and disgusting act.
They also attempted to arrest Sher Afzal Marwat in Rawalpindi, but he managed to escape.

Main Exposing of Establishment on February 17: Revelations by Rawalpindi Commissioner Shahzeeb Khanzada

During the exposure of the Establishment on February 17, Rawalpindi Commissioner Shahzeeb Khanzada revealed to the media that he had been involved in rigging the polls on February 8. He disclosed that Supreme Court Justice Qazifaiz Esa was also complicit with the Election Commission in orchestrating the rigging. Khanzada stated that he was instructed to manipulate the results, compelling him to issue orders to his subordinates to alter the outcomes. He further exposed the magnitude of his wrongdoing by admitting to experiencing mental issues and attempting suicide after Fajr prayer. However, he ultimately reconsidered and decided to reveal these revelations to the public, expressing remorse for the harm caused to the people of Rawalpindi.