PTI's Senator Ali Zafar challenges presidential election legitimacy, plans protest

ISLAMABAD, Mar 09: Senator Ali Zafar, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, has criticized the ongoing presidential election, calling it unfair due to a court stay on the allocation of special seats.
Zafar addressed the media in Islamabad on Saturday, expressing his party's reservations about the electoral process. He pointed out that the Election Commission has not awarded PTI its designated special seats, defying court orders and creating an uneven playing field.
Despite these concerns, PTI will participate in the election "to uphold parliamentary traditions," Zafar stated. However, the party will continue to protest what they perceive as an rigged election.
Zafar highlighted PTI's legal challenges against the seat allocation process, with cases pending in both the Lahore and Sindh High Courts. He maintains that the election, under these circumstances, is unconstitutional.
This controversy adds to a string of disputes surrounding Pakistani elections. The first general election's results were contested due to Election Commission decisions deemed unfavorable to PTI.
Zafar emphasized PTI's determination to fight for its rightful seats through legal means and by raising their voice in Parliament. He also called for the release of the party's founder and the transfer of another party member to a specific jail to facilitate meetings.
The party's stance indicates a potential for continued political friction surrounding the ongoing election.