‘Anniversary of rigging' opposition announces 'Black Day'

Express Tribune

07-02-2025

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KARACHI:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh has completed its preparations to observe February 8th as Black Day in protest against the alleged theft of party's mandate. Widespread protests will be held in all major and minor cities across Sindh to voice opposition to the mandate theft.
PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi Division President Raja Azhar, and Karachi Division General Secretary Arsalan Khalid led a rally in Karachi. Elected members of the national and provincial assemblies, who according to Form 45 were rightful victors, displayed images of Form 45 on their vehicles.
They also displayed photos of those who allegedly reached the assemblies through rigging. The rally moved through various routes in Karachi, calling upon the public to join the protest against the stolen votes.
Speaking to the media, Haleem stated, "February 8, 2024, was a dark day for democracy, as it marked the theft of PTI's mandate in the general elections.' He said, 'According to the Form 47, more than 81 of our national assembly seats were taken away, and 20 national assembly and 34 provincial assembly seats from Karachi were hijacked."
Haleem further mentioned, "One year has passed since the mandate theft, and a fake, fabricated government has been imposed on the people. This government has not only weakened the judiciary but has also imposed restrictions on the media. The 26th Constitutional Amendment has been used to attack the Constitution of Pakistan. The fake government has exacerbated the economic crisis across the country, and corrupt politicians, who embezzled billions of rupees, were granted NRO 2, while, the true leader of the people, Imran Khan, remains imprisoned in false cases framed against him and PTI leaders."
He continued, "Stealing the people's mandate is a grave crime against democracy. We'll continue our struggle against this injustice at every level. PTI is committed to protecting the people's votes and fighting for their rights."
Haleem Adil Sheikh urged the people of Sindh to join the protests, which will take place in cities throughout the province, including a major protest outside the Karachi Press Club at 4pm on February 8th. He appealed to the public to participate in reclaiming their stolen votes.
JI to protest outside ECP office
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has also called to observe February 8 as the Black Day in protest against rigging the 2024 elections.
JI Karachi has decided to hold a huge protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan, Sindh to observe first anniversary of the black day.
JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has announced this at a press conference, held at Idara Noor-e-Haq - the JI Karachi headquarters, on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the mandate of Karachiites was ambushed on February 8, 2024 through rigging elections and a bunch of thieves in the fabric of political parties were imposed on the nation.
On January 15, 2023 mandate of Karachiites was stolen as the citizens expressed their trust in the JI but the polling results were changed in form 13, as compared to form 11, he said while talking about the local government elections.
Despite all the rigging, naked aggression and unethical nefarious tactics, Murtaza Wahab could manage only 173 votes, against 193 votes of the PTI-JI coalition, but he was bestowed with the mayor office in a subsequent development, said Monem Zafar.
He said, similarly, on February 8 the former year, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement couldn't bag even a single polling station but it was blessed with 15 seats of the National Assembly with the help of form 47, whereas the PPP was granted seven seats from the city.
For the provincial assembly, the MQM was pleased with 25 seats, whereas the rest of the seats were distributed among the PPP and other parties, he said.
Monem Zafar added that these blue-eyed parties of the establishment have ruined the mega city.
Anti-PPP Alliance GDA
GDA will also observe 'Black Day' across Sindh on February 8 to protest against what they called it rigged elections, unlawful and unconstitutional actions, unemployment, deteriorating law and order, and the controversial PECA laws.
In a statement, Secretary Information Sardar Abdul Rahim said that peaceful protests will be held outside the district press clubs, and throughout the provincial capital. He termed February 8 as the 'blackest day' in the country's history, when the mandate of the people of Sindh was stolen through record rigging.
Party workers will hoist black flags and wear black armbands. Sardar Abdul Rahim also criticised the 26th Constitutional Amendment, saying it has created a constitutional crisis in the country, and now even judges are being appointed on the basis of political affiliations.
He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the PECA laws, saying they can not silence free journalism. He also criticised the Peoples Party leadership for being involved in a conspiracy to make Sindh's lands barren, and said they will have to answer to the people of Sindh.