ISLAMABAD: Addressing the perceived manipulation in the upcoming elections, seasoned politician and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed concern on Thursday, stating that the scheduled general elections on February 8 could plunge the country into chaos.
Abbasi emphasized that ensuring a purposeful election is the responsibility of political leadership, but the current electoral climate lacks direction.
Advocating for collaboration, he urged the political, military, and judicial leadership to engage in discussions to chart a coherent path for the nation.
Speaking to the media outside the anti-corruption department office in Rawalpindi, where he appeared for questioning in a case related to embezzlement in the Ghora Gali and Marri Road projects, Abbasi highlighted the need for a constructive dialogue among the country’s key stakeholders.
The former Prime Minister stressed the importance of preserving the sanctity of elections, cautioning against making them controversial, as it could harm the country. Alleging electoral irregularities, he argued that the system had failed in 2018 and was likely to do so again.
Abbasi criticized the three major political parties for their failure to address the nation’s challenges and predicted the emergence of new political entities in Pakistan.
Clarifying his stance on elections, he stated that he had not abandoned politics but had withdrawn from the current electoral process. He hinted at the possibility of forming a new political party after the elections.
Questioning the integrity of institutions such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other anti-corruption bodies, Abbasi accused them of being among the country’s most corrupt organizations.
Expressing concern over the decline in Pakistan’s development, he called for urgent measures to restore faith in the electoral process, citing historical instances of alleged election thefts since 1947.
Addressing the embezzlement case against him, the ex-Prime Minister criticized the handling of the matter, claiming that the notice was sent to his spokesperson instead of directly to him.
He characterized this as a form of harassment during the election period and highlighted the potential mistreatment of politicians involved in the electoral process.
