Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan has warned the ‘state institutions’ against ‘manipulating’ the election for the Punjab chief minister’s slot.
A run-off election for the Punjab chief minister is scheduled for today, in which PTI’s candidate and PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi will compete against Hamza Shahbaz, the incumbent chief minister of the province.
After the Sunday’s Punjab by-elections, the PTI has the support of 188 provincial lawmakers, much above the 186 votes it needs for a simple majority in the House, while the PML-N and its allies, including the PPP, have the support of 180 MPAs.
Addressing his supporters via video link, the former premier said: “Don’t think for one moment that the people will sit idle in case of manipulation of the election. I want to make it clear that the PTI will not tolerate theft of the public’s vote with their own money.”
Imran accused his rival parties of using money to buy loyalties ahead of the election.
He said that attempts are being made to intimidate PTI’s lawmakers to keep them away from the election, adding that every tactic is being used to make sure that the PTI is defeated in the poll.
