Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced on Monday that he and his associated “group” would completely boycott the upcoming general elections in Pakistan, dubbing the electoral process as “fake.”
Chaudhry, currently in custody on corruption charges, conveyed his decision through a handwritten letter addressed to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In the letter, Chaudhry expressed his dissatisfaction with the electoral process, emphasizing that his group would abstain from participating in the elections.
Highlighting what he perceives as the Election Commission of Pakistan’s failures, Chaudhry pointed out the commission’s inability to conduct elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab last year after the respective provincial assemblies were dissolved.
He criticized the ECP for allowing a flawed electoral process to persist.
Chaudhry detailed instances of alleged intimidation, including the arrest and threats against his brother Faraz when submitting nomination papers in Jhelum.
The former minister argued that despite facing numerous obstacles, he and his family filed their nomination papers, only to have them rejected on questionable grounds.
Terming the demand for resignations from ECP officials a “waste of time,” Chaudhry asserted that the commission had “failed horribly” in fulfilling its responsibilities
He warned that a government formed through such elections would lack both moral and legal legitimacy, rendering it incapable of addressing the country’s crises and challenges.
Fawad Chaudhry, formerly associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), distanced himself from the party after the turmoil on May 9, during which former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested. Despite initially stating a break from politics, Chaudhry was later spotted at the launch of the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) led by Jahangir Khan Tareen.
Chaudhry, apprehended on November 4 in connection with a corruption case, has remained in custody.
The former minister accused authorities of orchestrating false cases against him to force his resignation from the electoral race.
He claimed that his nomination papers were rejected, and subsequent appeals were dismissed by a Rawalpindi election tribunal.
