Former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha resigned, alleging the involvement of the chief election commissioner and chief justice in recent election rigging. He claimed candidates who were losing were made to win. Chattha took responsibility for the manipulation of poll results and expressed remorse for harming the country. He called for punishment for himself and others involved in the injustice. Chattha revealed feeling pressured and considered suicide before deciding to address the public. He urged the bureaucracy to refrain from wrongdoing for politicians.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) refuted Chattha’s allegations against the chief election commissioner. They stated no instructions were given to change election results and clarified the commissioner’s role. However, they promised an investigation into the matter. Punjab caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir dismissed Chattha’s claims, citing lack of evidence and suggesting political motivations post-retirement. Multiple parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), complained of election rigging.
Independent candidates, many supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, won 93 out of 265 National Assembly seats contested. Despite this, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) formed a post-poll alliance, with Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) also supporting them. The PML-N secured 75 seats, while the PPP obtained 54 seats, with MQM-P contributing 17 seats. To form a government, a party needs to win 133 seats out of 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly.
