ISLAMABAD: Amidst ongoing protests by political factions, particularly the incarcerated Imran Khan-led PTI, over purported electoral fraud, President Arif Alvi emphasized the importance of honoring the electorate’s choice.
He expressed dismay over the suspension of social media platform X in Pakistan during a ceremony in Islamabad. The president underscored the necessity of public involvement in the political process for financial inclusion, lauding the trust shown by millions of young voters in the democratic system.
President Alvi cautioned against undermining the confidence of the youth in the system, highlighting the detrimental effects and the expulsion of capable individuals from politics.
He warned of repercussions for sidelining the populace from development initiatives and advocated for effective leadership and prompt decision-making to propel Pakistan towards progress and prosperity.
President Alvi lamented the missed opportunities to introduce internet voting and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) due to vested interests. He attributed the blockage of social media platforms in Pakistan to the incapacity to handle criticism.
Last week, PTI leaders met with President Alvi, briefing him on alleged irregularities during the February 8 general elections. Although not directly addressing the rigging claims, the president suggested that utilizing EVMs could have averted the current crisis.
Various political parties, including PTI, JUI-F, JI, and nationalist groups, have staged intermittent protests across the nation, decrying alleged electoral fraud and discrepancies.
Independent candidates backed by PTI secured 92 seats in the recent general elections, with PML-N and PPP following suit. The elections were marred by accusations of rigging and delays in announcing results, casting doubts on their transparency.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
