NA-122 verdict: Tribunal's decision is discriminatory, says Rashid

Information minister says if re-polls are held in NA-122, PTI will face similar fate as it did in Haripur by-polls

Information Minister Pervez Rashid termed on Sunday the tribunal's decision declaring  Sardar Ayaz Sadiq's election from NA-122 null and void as discriminatory against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

"We respect the decision of the election tribunal but cannot agree with the verdict it has issued," said Rashid angrily, while addressing the media.

"Election Commission's staff committed irregularities but only the PML-N was punished whereas PTI was given a clean chit," he maintained.

The information minister highlighted that the decision did not have mention rigging in the 2013 general elections.

"Even if re elections take place in the NA-122 constituency of Lahore, PTI will meet a fate similar to Haripur," Rashid added.

Read: PTI’s long wait ends: PML-N loses big wicket

"Imran Khan is never satisfied with a defeat of small margin, but by a huge number of votes against him," he added in a sarcastic tone.

Lashing out at their arch rivals PTI, the PML-N leader pointed out that the former issued notice to Justice (retd) Wajihuddin, a man of credibility.

"PTI runs on dictatorship within the party," he asserted.

Meanwhile, reacting to Rashid’s statement, senior leader of PTI, Naeemul Haq said these were reflective of a ‘defeated mindset’.

“They speak in such a way because they realise that the entire nation now knows how they used rigging to win polls.”

Further, the PTI leader said, “I challenge them (PML-N) to win polls from the Haripur constituency,” he said adding, “we will claim victory regardless of when the elections take place.”