PTI presents dossier to IMF, alleges poll rigging
On the directives of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and party leader Omar Ayub has written a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), raising concerns over "2024 election rigging" and urging the money lender to consider governance issues in Pakistan during its economic review.
According to Express News, Ayub's letter highlights that the IMF mission is currently assessing Pakistan's economic and governance framework, with transparency and rule of law as key factors.
Along with the letter, the PTI leader has submitted a dossier previously presented to the chief justice, containing what he describes as "irrefutable evidence of widespread electoral fraud".
Ayub recalled that Imran Khan met the IMF delegation on July 7, 2023, emphasising that fair elections were essential for rule of law, economic prosperity and national development.
He claimed the dossier provides concrete evidence of how state institutions, including the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), allegedly suppressed PTI, manipulated election results and engineered the democratic process.
Ayub accused the government of violating constitutional principles and included findings from NGO Pattan, which he said documented election fraud.
He stressed that economic and political stability depend on transparency, and urged international stakeholders, including the IMF, to take note of these concerns.
Ayub assured the IMF that PTI is willing to provide further details and assistance if required.
He expressed confidence that the rule of law and democratic integrity will remain central to Pakistan's future engagements with international bodies.
COAS
The PTI founding chairman has decided to send his third open letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir, addressing alleged electoral fraud in the 2024 general elections and accusing the government of enabling money launderers to assume power.
Imran, who has been behind bars since August 2023, penned two "open letters" to the army chief on Feb 3 and Feb 8, expressing concerns over the "widening gap between the military and the public" while alleging severe rights violations during his imprisonment.
In his last letter, Imran stated that he had written the previous letter with "good intentions for the betterment of the country and the nation so that the growing gap between the army and the people could be reduced day by day". However, he lamented that the response was given with "extreme frivolity and irresponsibility".
The former premier urged the army to 'return to its constitutional boundaries, separate itself from politics and fulfill its assigned responsibilities' to ensure the country's stability and security and to bridge the gap between the military and the people.
Security sources, however, dismissed claims regarding Imran's previous letters, stating that no such correspondence had been received and that the establishment had no interest in engaging with it. They reiterated that any political discussions should take place among politicians rather than involving the army.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Imran's counsel Faisal Chaudhry stated that the PTI founder had dictated the contents of the third letter to party leaders.
The letter reportedly comprises six key points, including demands for deep structural reforms and concerns over government policies undermining democracy.
Chaudhry emphasised that PTI continues to demand a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9. He also claimed that post-election crackdowns persist in Punjab, citing an instance where police allegedly prevented a PTI worker's funeral in Wazirabad.
The counsel stated that PTI leaders, including Imran, appeared in the GHQ case proceedings. PTI chief whip Amir Dogar has been a part of the negotiation committee with the opposition and the party is set to announce additional appointments via an official notification later today, he added.
Chaudhry also criticised the reported restrictions on lawyers and journalists, stating that ILF President Intezar Panjutha was barred from entering the jail to meet Imran. He further indicated that PTI would file a request for an open trial in the GHQ case, citing concerns about judicial transparency following the 26th constitutional amendment.
In his latest letter, Imran Khan raises allegations of election fraud, claiming that a minority had been allowed to assume control over the majority. He further accuses the government of enabling money launderers to hold power.
Additionally, Imran expressed concerns over rising terrorism due to a "lack of rule of law", citing the exodus of 1.8 million people and the flight of $20 billion in capital from Pakistan.
He also highlighted economic setbacks, stating that GDP growth was 6.4 per cent when PTI left power, adding that the country's global ranking in the Rule of Law Index has since declined to 140th place.
The PTI founder stated that "court packing" is being carried out to facilitate a crackdown against the party.