ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar dismissing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claims of rigging in by-elections said that those who had boycotted the by-polls has no right to criticize the results.
Responding to the allegations of rigging by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on the floor of National Assembly, the minister said the opposition had no evidence to back their claims of rigging.
The opposition boycotted elections publicly, but ironically ran covert campaigns against their rival candidates on social media and in the field, he added.
“Politics does not run on boycotts. To hide your mistake, you blame Parliament, the Speaker, and Nawaz Sharif. This behaviour is regrettable,” he said, regretting their double standard which stands exposed due to their delaying tactics in the courts where they sought adjournments instead of presenting any evidence.
The minister asked the PTI Chairman how many cases they have furnished to present before the election tribunals to prove their claims of riggings.
Tarar said that Babar Nawaz Khan had defeated the PTI with a considerable margin, highlighting the party’s declining political standing.
“He faced a powerful political dynasty, the entire provincial administration, police and on-ground machinery — but he fought as a true political worker and won. Today, as he took oath, we pay him tribute,” he said while praising Babar Nawaz
Khan’s performance in Haripur.
Tarar said multiple attempts at political negotiations were sabotaged by the same elements who now claim they want dialogue. “The committee formed for talks — of which the late Senator Irfan Siddiqui was a member — was deliberately undermined,” he said.
The minister noted that during the special Kashmir session, the former prime minister did not appear, whereas the then-Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker were present.
“Despite hostility and slogans, we said on record that we were ready for a Charter of Economy,” he added.
Tarar said that the opposition’s conduct shows they believe: “My rights are absolute; yours are questionable. My morality is perfect; yours is flawed.”
He said Pakistan’s democratic process cannot be derailed through contradictory positions, misinformation, or political theatrics.
“They neither hide fully nor appear fully — caught between denial and accusations. The people have given their verdict, and on every front, they will face defeat again,” he said.
Tarar also condemned certain social-media accounts targeting the Pakistan Army and the Field Marshal, saying their engagement from India and Afghanistan raises serious concerns.
“Some members here will claim these accounts are not theirs. But this is coordinated — a good-cop, bad-cop game. The House rejects this toxic digital campaign,” he warned.
Responding to remarks made about legal relief granted to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Tarar said the PML-N leader received judicial correction of past wrongs.
“The courts themselves acknowledged earlier mistakes. The relief was lawful. Even their own cabinet approved allowing Nawaz Sharif to travel for treatment. Now they criticise the same decision,” he said.