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Khawaja Asif Accuses PTI of Rigging in KP, Fearing Defeat in Punjab
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif slams PTI over by-elections: “Rigging in KP, fear of people’s verdict in Punjab.” Says PTI avoids polls where defeat is certain.
ND
by News Desk
2025-08-27
Khawaja Asif Accuses PTI of Rigging in KP, Fearing Defeat in Punjab

Defense Minister and senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of resorting to rigging in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) while avoiding elections in Punjab out of fear of a certain defeat.

In a statement shared on Wednesday via social media platform X (Twitter), Khawaja Asif criticized PTI’s approach toward the upcoming by-elections, alleging that the party manipulates polls where it holds government control but avoids genuine competition where public sentiment is against it.

“Rigging in KP, Boycott in Punjab”

Without directly naming PTI, the Defense Minister said:

“Where there is a chair and a government, there is an election with enthusiasm, but where there is a real decision of the people, there is a boycott.”

He argued that PTI feels comfortable contesting in KP due to its provincial government’s influence, where it can “get results of its choice,” but in Punjab, where he claimed people’s power ensures defeat for PTI, the party avoids elections altogether.

Criticism of Election Approach

Khawaja Asif further remarked that PTI does not seek to win elections through public trust but rather through the use of government machinery.

“There is fear of defeat in Punjab, but rigging is resorted to in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is not politics of justice, but a politics of two numbers,” he said.

Background

The remarks come amid heightened political tension surrounding upcoming by-elections, with both ruling and opposition parties trading accusations of manipulation, intimidation, and electoral engineering. Punjab, seen as a political stronghold and decisive battleground, remains central to the contest.

 
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