ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Federal Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said the PML-N would challenge an election tribunal's decision that ordered re-polling in Lahore's NA-125.
Know more: Election tribunal orders re-election in NA-125, PP-155.
Speaking to media personnel, the senior PML-N leaders said Khawaja Saad Rafique was insistent that the party let him contest re-election on the seat.
"But after a party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, we decided this sets a dangerous precedent, where anyone can record a few irregularities to make the entire election void," said Ahsan Iqbal.
Iqbal said the party's legal team had advised pursuing the matter in the apex court.
Iqbal slammed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for "celebrating the tribunal's decision as a victory."
"We have been saying from day one that rules and procedures exist in Pakistan where PTI's grievances can be addressed. Today, they are celebrating the tribunal's decision; but the tribunal was there even during the dharna," said the PML-N leader.
Iqbal alleged that the PTI wanted to pose a threat to PML-N's polices and efforts to stabilise Pakistan's economy, which was why it was staging meaningless protests and hurling allegations without evidence.
"The detailed judgment on NA-125 does not indict us of organising rigging or any other illegal measures to make the process partial," said Iqbal.
Read more: PML-N mulls over options after verdict
Iqbal also said that the recent cantonment board elections had proven PML-N's popularity among the masses, adding that despite tall claims, the PTI was unable to defeat the PML-N.
"PML-N has maintained its popularity, while the PTI has lost seats in by-election after winning them during the 2013 general election," said Iqbal.