Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a former prime minister, will likely send a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the believed rigging of the general elections on February 8, according to party officials.
After meeting with Imran Khan, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and party leader Senator Ali Zafar, Khan stated his plan to send the letter to the IMF today in a statement to reporters outside Adiala Jail.
“The IMF and the European Union have their mandate, and good governance is the merit of the IMF,” Zafar said, highlighting the need for good governance. International institutions, he said, avoid dealing with nations that violate democratic principles.
“Democracy cannot run on the mandate of theft,” Zafar stated, emphasizing that “the whole world saw that the people’s vote was stolen in Pakistan.” He clarified, “When lending institutions see that there is no democracy, they do not give loans.”
Zafar explained their plan in detail, saying, “Our letter will be addressed to the IMF, and if the IMF desires discussion, an audit of election rigging must precede any dialogue.” He emphasized, “Where rigging is proven, rectification must occur before IMF engagement.”
“Our agreement with the IMF is contingent upon an audit against rigging,” Zafar further highlighted. “We have urged the IMF to ensure free and fair elections in Pakistan.”
This comes days after the international credit rating agency Fitch issued an alert that attempts to get an IMF financing setup may become more difficult due to the close results of the general elections on February 8 and the ensuing political unrest shortly.
In its report on Pakistan’s economy, the credit rating agency stated, “This looks set to be a coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party, despite the strong performance by candidates associated with Imran Khan’s PTI in the elections.”
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the party chairman, issued a warning on Tuesday, stating that Pakistan’s chances of receiving the IMF program could be harmed if election results are not made public under Form-45s.
“To keep accountability and rebuild trust in the electoral process, we urge the immediate retirement of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. According to the public mandate, precise outcomes must be made public,” Gohar concluded.
