PML-N victory result of rigging, claims Tareen

LAHORE: Former Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Jehnagir Khan Tareen has termed the PML-N victory in NA-154 by-polls a result of massive usage of state resources against PTI.

“The PML-N government went to every extent to rig the by-polls, in all the 36 union councils massive funds were granted, even until the election day, roads were being constructed, electricity polls were being installed, jobs were distributed, agricultural loans were written off, at least every tactic of pre-poll rigging was used” said Jehangir Khan Tareen while talking to The News. He said state resources were massively used to woo the voters and the distribution of jobs, writing off of the agricultural loans were some major precedents how the sitting government rigged this poll.

He said the PML-N did the same in the last by-poll but it was defeated. To a question about the intra party factors behind the defeat of PTI, Tareen replied that it was true that we were over-confident this time but even then, the party could have never suffered defeat provided the polls were held under a level playing field.

“Under a level playing field, there is no question of PTI defeat and party will regain this seat in the next general elections” said Jehangir Khan Tareen who won this seat in the 2015 by-polls after the disqualification of sitting MNA Siddique Khan Baloch, the winner of this seat in 2008 and 2013 on PML-Q and PML-N tickets respectively. The PTI former secretary general said that even after losing the polls, the people of the constituency were visiting him in big numbers and very positive response was received from them adding the PTI would prove its ballot strength in the upcoming general elections.