Ikram-ul-Haq Qureshi | February 19, 2024—In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate and PP-7 constituency contender, Colonel Muhammad Shabir Awan, claimed victory in the by-elections, securing over six thousand votes. Awan proudly announced his success, asserting possession of both Form 45 and Form 47.
After the announcement of his triumph, Awan revealed that he was approached by representatives with an offer to join the Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in their ranks. However, he firmly declined, emphasizing his commitment to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the trust bestowed upon him by his constituents.
Awan expressed concern over potential attempts to undermine his victory, stating that any such actions would erode the faith of voters in the democratic process. In response to pressure to switch allegiances, Awan defiantly remarked that he would not compromise on the trust placed in him by both Imran Khan and his supporters.
The situation took an unexpected turn when the seat count was revisited, revealing discrepancies. Awan’s initial lead of over six thousand votes was challenged, and upon recount, his victory margin shrank to just over three thousand votes. This turn of events led to the announcement of the success of the Muslim League-N candidate, who claimed victory with a margin of more than three thousand votes.
The by-election in PP-7 remains shrouded in controversy, with allegations of irregularities and discrepancies in the counting process. The Election Commission is expected to investigate the matter thoroughly to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and address any concerns raised by the involved parties.