Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Saturday rejected the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next election and said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was planning to rig the polls. Addressing a gathering held under the banner of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) against the rising price hike and unemployment, he said the government knew it was going to face a crushing defeat in the next general election as the rulers reneged on all pledges. A large number of QWP workers holding tri-colour party flags showed up at the protest.
Aftab Sherpao said there was a growing sense of resentment and despondency among the have-nots, who had been exposed to record inflation. He said that all segments of the society, including the youth, were disenchanted with the government. Aftab Sherpao said the PDM wanted the holding of the free and fair election in the country to give the electorate the chance to elect their true representatives. “We will not allow interference in the electoral process. We are committed to upholding the constitution and democratic values,” he vowed. He added the government had failed on all fronts.
The economic team of the PTI had failed to revive the economy, he said, adding that the government had mortgaged the sovereignty of the nation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Aftab Sherpao said that depreciation in the value of rupee against the US dollar pushed up the country’s foreign debt burden. He maintained the government was taking dictation from the IMF and had raised the electricity tariff and prices of petroleum products at the Fund’s behest.
He said the PDM would continue its struggle against the inefficient rulers to oust them from the corridors of power. He said the PTI came to power through a rigged election.
