PTI’s Zulfi Bukhari Tells US Panel Pakistan’s 2024 Elections Were Brutally Rigged
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Syed Zulfikar Bukhari has told a US congressional panel that Pakistan’s February 8, 2024 general elections were among the most systematically manipulated in the country’s history, aimed at silencing democratic expression. Speaking at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress, Bukhari accused the Pakistani authorities of orchestrating electoral engineering even before polling day.
Bukhari, who previously served as an aide to former prime minister Imran Khan, opened his address by calling the 2024 elections a breaking point for Pakistan’s democracy. He claimed the manipulation began well in advance of election day, citing several barriers allegedly imposed on PTI, including the removal of the party’s cricket bat symbol, mass disqualification of candidates, bans on rallies, removal of party flags, and destruction of campaign material.
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He also alleged widespread harassment of PTI leaders and supporters, many of whom were jailed, exiled, or forced into hiding in the months leading up to the vote. Despite this, Bukhari said that the Pakistani people showed overwhelming support for PTI by voting in large numbers, with independent candidates backed by the party winning an estimated 170 to 180 seats, based on observer reports and polling data.
Bukhari claimed that the official results were manipulated within 24 to 72 hours of the election. In one case, he said a constituency with only 400 registered voters showed over 450,000 votes in the official Form-47, implying massive tampering.
Meanwhile, amid the growing international spotlight on Pakistan’s political climate, it has been confirmed that Imran Khan’s sons are preparing for a visit to the United States and are also expected to travel to Pakistan in the near future. Their upcoming presence could draw additional public attention at a time when the country remains deeply polarized.
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