PTI's Naeemul Haque retracts statement accusing Gen Kayani of rigging elections

The party spokesperson had said former army chief helped Nawaz Sharif win 2013 elections with Saudi Arabia, US help

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Naeemul Haque has retracted his statement that former army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani had rigged the last general elections, just hours after placing the charge on a private TV channel.

“My comments last night about General Kayani were my own and do not reflect party stance in any way,” he tweeted on Tuesday.

My comments on Geo last night about General Kayani were my own and do not reflect party stance in any way.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) April 4, 2017

The PTI leader alleged that Gen Kayani, with the help of Saudi Arabia and the United States, had helped Nawaz Sharif win the 2013 elections through rigging.



“Because of the rigging we were deprived of a large number of seats,” Naeem went on to say on the show.

However, the party’s spokesperson retracted his comment and said he only wanted a clarification from the former chief of army staff and did not intend to accuse him.

“I have not accused Gen Kayani of anything but asked him for clarification of insinuations levelled against him in a national newspaper,” he said on Twitter.

I have not accused Gen Kayani of anything but asked him for clarification of insinuations levelled against him in a national newspaper.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) April 4, 2017