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.

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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.

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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.