Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Monday said he is ready to step down if it is proven that even a single vote was rigged in Punjab’s PP-116 by-election.
Speaking in Samaa TV's programme 'Red Line with Talat Hussain', Sanaullah said nearly 50,000 votes cast in a provincial constituency reflect a healthy participation level. He questioned what more could be expected in a by-poll setting.
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He added that in PP-116, out of 48,000 total votes, 15,000 were cast by people who had previously voted for PTI, stressing that the numbers themselves refute claims of unfair play.
Criticism of opposition tactics
Sanaullah questioned the opposition’s narrative of confrontation, particularly accusations linked to alleged plans of “attacking Islamabad.”
“Is it our fault if they want to do politics of attacking Islamabad?” he asked, adding that the government never encouraged violence or incidents like those linked to May 9.
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He warned that if perpetrators of violent acts are not held accountable, “every person will start attacking anyone’s house,” referring to the need for law enforcement clarity.
Sanaullah slams PTI
The adviser said that while some support for PTI remained, it appeared limited to casting votes rather than mobilising for rallies or protests.
He noted that PTI’s recent protests saw no more than 100–150 participants, indicating a decline in public mobilisation.
Sanaullah further remarked that in some constituencies during the 2024 general elections, people stayed away from voting, and the party suffered from this trend.
He said the public had widely heard about and appreciated the Punjab chief minister’s hard work and governance initiatives. While he described himself as “critical of CCD,” Sanaullah added that the overall administrative performance had strengthened public confidence.
