ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari announced his support for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's demand for recounting of votes in four constituencies, saying that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should not have any fears regarding a recount if there was no rigging during elections last year.

In a statement issued by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)'s media wing, the party's co-chairman said that if needed, a recount may be carried out in 40 constituencies instead of four. He added that people had elected Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of the country and not as an absolute monarch. He also criticised Nawaz's interference in other provinces.

The former president expressed surprise and dismay over the government's delay in vote recount for four constituencies in Lahore. "The heavens would not fall if the demand was accepted," the statement issued by spokesperson Senator Farhatullah quoted him as saying.


Zardari slams govt over IDPs issue, urges it to seek world help

Recounting of votes in constituencies where there are complaints and demands should be carried out whether such constituencies are in Punjab or Sindh or elsewhere, the former president was quoted as saying.


Have a mandate to take Pakistan out of crises: PM Nawaz

He said that the PPP has accepted the poll results for the sake of democracy and the democratic process but it cannot abandon the people who are undergoing unimaginable hardships compounded by load shedding and water shortages in the sweltering heat.

Opinion

Editorial

When medicine fails
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

When medicine fails

Between now and 2050, medical experts expect antibiotic resistance to kill 40m people worldwide.
Nawaz on India
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

Nawaz on India

Nawaz Sharif’s hopes of better ties with India can only be realised when New Delhi responds to Pakistan positively.
State of abuse
18 Nov, 2024

State of abuse

DESPITE censure from the rulers and society, and measures such as helplines and edicts to protect the young from all...
Football elections
17 Nov, 2024

Football elections

PAKISTAN football enters the most crucial juncture of its ‘normalisation’ era next week, when an Extraordinary...
IMF’s concern
17 Nov, 2024

IMF’s concern

ON Friday, the IMF team wrapped up its weeklong unscheduled talks on the Fund’s ongoing $7bn programme with the...
‘Un-Islamic’ VPNs
Updated 17 Nov, 2024

‘Un-Islamic’ VPNs

If curbing pornography is really the country’s foremost concern while it stumbles from one crisis to the next, there must be better ways to do so.