KARACHI: The Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) chief, Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi, popularly known as Pir Pagara, has announced his refusal to accept the results of the recent general elections.
In a press conference held at Pagara House in Karachi on Monday, Pir Pagara declared his intention to vacate his two Sindh Assembly seats, citing concerns over alleged election rigging and result manipulation.
“We will not take any charity seats,” asserted Pir Pagara during the media briefing, expressing his discontent with the electoral process. He went on to claim that the manipulation of election results was not the work of Returning Officers (ROs) but rather the result of interference by unidentified entities.
“I don’t feel like giving a speech. This election has come after the worst government, and we reject this election,” Pir Pagara declared, emphasising the severity of his disapproval.
Describing the election as “anti-state”, Pagara drew parallels with the historical 1971 elections, where he claimed that the losing side had refused to recognise the mandate. He highlighted that he had faced pressure to dissolve the GDA before the election and had even been offered an alliance with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. However, he rejected these proposals, asserting his commitment to the GDA’s independent political stance.
Commenting on the alleged manipulation of results, Pagara stated, “All this is not the work of the ROs but of someone else,” indicating his belief that external forces played a role in shaping the election outcome.
GDA leader Safdar Abbasi echoed Pir Pagara’s sentiments and announced plans for a protest against election rigging and result changes. Abbasi mentioned that the protest is scheduled for Friday at 11am at Hyderabad Bypass, emphasising their commitment to peaceful demonstrations until transparent elections are conducted.
“We will not let the next government run… we will continue to protest peacefully until transparent elections are held… we will expand the scope of the protest,” affirmed Abbasi, underlining the GDA’s determination to challenge the election results and demand electoral integrity.
