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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Punjab organiser Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said on Sunday night that the defeat of his party’s candidate in the NA-122 by-election by a ‘small margin’ of about 4,000 votes was not a defeat by just the rival candidate but the entire might and resources of federal and Punjab governments.
“I have congratulated party workers for their great work in the election campaign,” he said.
It was thought that the voters’ turnout would be high because of the hype created for the by-election, but the results showed that only about 41 per cent voters exercised their right to franchise.
Chaudhry Sarwar said the by-elections were far more different than the general elections and the incumbent government always had an edge. He said the government not only activated all its departments but also threatened Railways employees that they would be ousted from their houses if they voted against the PML-N candidate.
He acknowledged that the by-election was held in a peaceful manner under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan. He also said that the ECP had made good arrangements. “The PTI now wants to do politics on issues, instead of confrontation,” he said, adding that the elections in Pakistan must now be held in a free, fair and transparent manner.
PTI’s central information secretary Naeem-ul-Haq said the cumbersome electoral system was responsible for the low voter turnout, while the party’s central organiser Jahangir Tareen said the game was not over yet.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan did not say anything on Sunday.
Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2015
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Comments (89) Closed
Oct 12, 2015 06:58am
PTI has lost. It doesn't matter if the margin is small or big. Please accept it with grace.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:01am
I fully agree. This was not a defeat for PTI but instead was an eye opener for the PML-N that their so-called popularity is hanging by the thread. Now those who have voted for PML-N should get ready to pay the price of their decision. This government has done nothing and will not do anything to resolve the main issues faced by the public.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:06am
No excuses, a defeat is a defeat.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:10am
The accounting firm hired by Nawaz had it right.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:12am
Thanks goodness PTI leaders accept defeat. The elections were fair and straight, there were no complaints. PTI chief must stop abusing and putting allegations. He needs to be concentrating on his party and KPK.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:21am
Correct Mr Sarwar the way they used govt assets was shameful to say the least.NS coming on tv for a long political broadcast was unsporting to say the least....compared wirh what PTI was up against and considering that they lost by a small margin I would say that the real losers were PLM-N....well done PTI keep it up. BTW PPP were no where to be seen.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:35am
Do not worry PTI . You did everything you could. If people of NA 122 are happy with PMLN governance then so be it. I hope they do not complain load shedding, corruption, inflation etc. They elected these so called experienced leaders then they should bare the consequences too.
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Oct 12, 2015 07:43am
If 76000 are standing with PML-N then 72000 are standing against them in NA 122, they should not declare as if the whole Pakistam had voted in their favor. Every party including PTI should always look at the numbers, weigh them and then 'celebrate' or 'grieve' accordingly. Media should also make report and cooment reflecting this
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Oct 12, 2015 07:56am
After all defeat is defeat.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:04am
Yes. PTI has gotten a moral victory.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:10am
Loss by small margin is also not Dhandli!
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Oct 12, 2015 08:15am
loss by one run or by one vote defeat is still a defeat. Three years of relentless allegations, politics of hostility and negative attitudes has only harmed progress and economic development in the country.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:16am
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:21am
defeat after defeat is now PTI's destiny
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Oct 12, 2015 08:23am
The world cup was not won the first time----then the defeat at the hands of west indies in the semi finals was also heart breaking----.
It is only a matter of time---. Peoples party is gone---in next general election---it is PTI---.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:28am
Now accept the ground realities, do something positive other than blame politics.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:34am
@yes We should be more concerned about our own destiny as a people. It is clearly not safe in the hands of PMLN.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:36am
For all those mocking PTI, please explain how it won both PA seats under NA 122?
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Oct 12, 2015 08:56am
A speaker is a candidate of a party - this is dandli and such s democracy is a joke. The law says total expenditure by the candidates should not exceed Rs 1.5 million - estimates put the total expenditure to Rs 1.5 billion - the joke goes on are there are no values left - what a shame.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:58am
Dhandhli na hona bhi aik dhandhli hae.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:02am
Mr. Sarwar according to British Standard also it is a defeat whether you believe it or not. Please accept the fact and advise your boss also to do the same.
In the same manner PML-N should also accept the defeat on the Provincial Seat.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:10am
Accept the result,even picture of COAS on the banner of PTI candidate did not helped...It was victory for Democracy...
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Oct 12, 2015 09:13am
I agree with him.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:31am
Congratulations PTI for defeating PML-N in PP-147 despite all government machinery was used to buy election.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:32am
Well done Sarwar sb. You did a great job unfortunately we still have literate illiterates in Pakistan, people who prefer buses over health/education and call corrupts as their leaders. Person with 18 NAB cases and a money launderer is their hero/so called leader. PTI is the future and inshAllah we'll get their under able leadership of people like you (Sarwar sb)
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Oct 12, 2015 09:33am
Those who claim that Lahore is fortress of PMLN will be disappointed with this result . They should know that fortress walls are very weak and can fall anytime soon.
PTI need to perform better in KPK so that next time those who stayed home, will vote for PTI.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:34am
yes ...really we appreciate your campaign sir,,,good luck for future
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Oct 12, 2015 09:36am
No doubt PTI has given tough time to PML N, but PTI should understand only those parties form government who has seats of rural Punjab. PTI has no strong candidates in rural Punjab, which reflected 2013 election and subsequent by elections held till yesterday. PTI leadership should work on rural areas and do not exploit its urban area new and enthusiast voters who expect that PTI would form government in Federal. First maintain strength of 172 candidates for forming government then claim popularity across the Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:40am
pmln may have won but lost the political battle. Won by small margin in one and lost in two not a result to be proud of. Within next two years because of unfulfilled promises pti actually may have an edge over pmln. But who cares our governments usually think about the current five years no one thinks beyond that.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:42am
@wshaikh
You must thank PTI that there was no more PPP vs. PMLN this time.
All the commentators here seem supporters of PMLN rather than supporters of Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:50am
Undoubtedly PTI and its workers deserve compliments. They have combated against all the departments and full machinery of Government. It's matter of concern for Govt that so many votes(72082 Votes) have been casted against PMLN in his home.
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Oct 12, 2015 09:59am
@ANONYMOUS Hahaha...best comment
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Oct 12, 2015 10:04am
Only 30 more months to go. lets see how many promises fulfilled by PML-N. Not a single electricity project completed by this Government. Dams are still waitting to be announced.
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Oct 12, 2015 10:05am
Its because of PTI and Imran Khan that people like myself started following pakistani politics. I think PTI is in WIN WIN situation after the by election because they have WON the PP 147, and in NA seat they lost by a very small margin. To me, Considering Government machinery used, and ministers involvement, the margin of 3000 shows that PML N was pretty much rejected by the residents of the NA 122.
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Oct 12, 2015 10:12am
a defeat is a defeat! at least be gracious in it! Stop whining and work for the people!
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Oct 12, 2015 10:14am
Welldone PTI and team CH Sarwar, Hard work never goes in vain!!!
None is saying PTI lost instead admit PTI put a great fight!!!!... Gone are Noon days, Pakistan will prove a shining star in the world and regard for Green passport will be restored IA..
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Oct 12, 2015 10:19am
This bye-election is an omen that the corrupt and in-efficient status -quo is on the verge of collapse.The next General elections will not be a smooth sail for the PML(N).
Remember the adage that coming events cast their shadows.The shadows have started to lengthen and will enlarge with the passage of each day.
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Oct 12, 2015 10:31am
First I must congratulate Ayaz Sadiq of PMLN & Shoaib Siddiqi of PTI for winning NA & PA seats, I being a neutral must say that it was very tight contest on both seats & PTI must be appreciated that against all odds e.g Federal, provincial govts are of PMLN & they also had reservations against Election Commission, Police obviously & all provincial institutions were obviously supporting PMLN & still PMLN won by a mere margin of 2000 that's very close. PTI also won on PP147 seat in the same constituency, so i must say in coming general elections PTI will be in great position to win & PMLN has to think that after spending almost 80% budget in Lahore, still won only by 2000 & lost two of its seats 1 PA PP 147 & 1 NA144 ?
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Oct 12, 2015 10:38am
How do you define defeat then?? PTI should now try to win the people wit their performance in KPK, otherwise I see them losing the province as well in the next elections. Only one thing of note in this news item; PTI will do politics on issues now. I truly hope so.
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Oct 12, 2015 10:42am
PTI should graciously accept the results. EC accepted all their demands. I'm no expert but how I see it is that voters took into account the 'candidate'. NS erred with the candidate choice in PP147 & NA144 while IK's choice of Aleem Khan was wrong.
I became disillusioned with PTI once the so called "electables" came in. Just look at the PTI press conference after the election was over. Sitting from left to right Billionaire turncoat Q league /Sugar King, Millionaire turncoat N League, Billionaire turncoat Q League/Land Mafia. So much for the Saaf chali shfaaf chali.
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Oct 12, 2015 10:43am
I believe such a small difference in votes proves Lahore doesn't belong to PML-N. If Lahoris had appreciated PML-N's development projects, they would have given overwhelming mandate to them. They didn't; PML-N should be deeply concerned. Not just by the narrow winning margin but by losing provincial assembly seat to PTI.
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Oct 12, 2015 10:44am
So by that logic win in PP-147 by small margin isn't a win of PTI as well? what about NA-144 in which PTI lose miserably?
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Oct 12, 2015 10:45am
@yes So is your destiny with corruption, load shedding and poor governance. You deserve it Lahoris as we in Karachi MQM!
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Oct 12, 2015 10:58am
@Syed Hussain Akbarii in Britain state can not use all its resources to win a seat bhai, I must say PTI lost by 2000 vote & that too PMLN strongest zone is a big boost for PTI & can you explain how come NA122 two provincial seats are won by PTI ?
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Oct 12, 2015 11:01am
Instead of wasting time and energy in urban sindh where PTI faced humiliating defeat in NA246. PTI should concentrate on Panjab and KPK where they have real good chances of making inroads. PTI should consider Genral Musharraf's advice to form an alliance to get rid of these 2 (PML-N and PPP) status quo parties. PTIs single man politics will not work. After all the goal should be to get rid of these 2 corruption mafias for the betterment of Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2015 11:10am
Well Done PTI. The way PMLN campaigned and its top leadership had to stroll out in street for votes proves that they have to know that Imran Khan has rammed into their centre and raised their eyebrows. PMLN would definitely have taken sigh of relief after winning with such a low margin in their Centre where they have invested billions cutting and stealing quotas of other regions of the province especially South Punjab. Yes! defeat is defeat. PMLN wins NA and looses PP, means Nawaz Sharif narrowly wins and Shahbaz Sharif looses. Now, PMLN will have to work (and they will definitely do) day n night to secure some seats in next general elections.
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Oct 12, 2015 11:20am
Masses must understand the power of votes and unity. Low turn outs in re-elections is the cause of their social debacle.
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Oct 12, 2015 11:26am
PTI (Mr. Imran Khan) You lose or win, we will always support you from the bottom of our heart.
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Oct 12, 2015 11:36am
A miss is as good as a mile. Great competition. Both sides used everything they had in their arsenals. The bad news is that the Lahoris are a divided society now with a split of almost 50/50 between PTI and PMLN ............. Goes to show the differences people will have in the future ....
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Oct 12, 2015 11:38am
Mr. Sarwar should also check out the historic results of all the past British elections and will find out that the victor always won with margins less than the NA122 result.
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Oct 12, 2015 11:38am
we r with PTI
PML N days are numbered
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Oct 12, 2015 11:51am
The voters that votes N league please stop complaining about issues and problems in the future. You have lost the right to do so. Status quo it is and it'll remain. No hope!
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Oct 12, 2015 11:53am
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan We all know you're an MQM supporter. Just stop, just stop
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Oct 12, 2015 11:59am
Definitely rigged. IK should protest again
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Oct 12, 2015 12:08pm
OK let's see the defeat to PTI is by 4K+. Take out 3K eah for JI PAT PMLQ etc ad you get more enjoyable defeat. :-). Sad to say Sarwar Sb failed to show the class Brit politicians are known for!.
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Oct 12, 2015 12:12pm
“The PTI now wants to do politics on issues, instead of confrontation,” Ghulam Sarwar said. So you have accepted that all these years PTI was doing nothing but confrontation. Better late than never...
And Mr. Sarwar, defeat is a defeat even if its with a single vote. Kindly accept it and move forward.. Your beloved chairman has even not uttered a single word yet!! Any reasons? Maybe, awaiting instructions..
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Oct 12, 2015 12:18pm
@Ali Rizvi . It s not even a case of small or big win. PTI had accused pmnl of massive rigging and had alleged that their 53000 votes were stolen. In addition pti needed alliance from JI, Q league, PAT AND others. Just to stand still they needed to win by al least 60000 votes. Sarwar is just trying to put a political spin on just for face saving
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Oct 12, 2015 12:22pm
Mr. Sarwar, please let us know what it is then?
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Oct 12, 2015 12:25pm
Dear Mr. Chaudhry,
Please understand that it is not about the margin of defeat, what has been defeated is the notion of organized dhandhli that your leader has been knowingly falsely trumpeting for the last two and a half years. I hope that the response of the people of 122 will calm you guys down. Please focus on doing something productive in KPK and providing positive opposition in other areas. We all have a lot of work to do.
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Oct 12, 2015 12:28pm
The PTI now wants to do politics on issues, instead of confrontation
If they had this policy before they would have won. Very late in the game as usual PTI.
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Oct 12, 2015 12:30pm
Though it is good that someone from PTI has conceded the defeat which in itself is a “change”, this however raises a few questions which PTI must answer or at least give some serious thought to in order to do the self-assessment:
• How they would stand by and justify their claim of ’35 punctures’ ?
• How they would stand by and justify the claim of 50K bogus votes in NA-122 ?
• How they would justify their demand of PM resignation based on alleged ‘organized rigging’ in four constituencies including NA-122, which they could not prove at any forum including this by-election?
• How they would justify loss of around 16K PTI votes compared to 2013 result in NA 122 ?
• Would they take it as an eye opener for them against their politics of 'dharna' and mere criticism ?
• Would it make them realize that the real world is different from the Dreamworld and the world of Social Media ?
• Would it make them realize that they will have to bring in real “change” first within the party
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Oct 12, 2015 12:32pm
@AXH PTI has done nothing but talk. PMLN is securing projects and international trade, where as PTI is dancing on containers and calling it's CM to campaign from KPK, instead of ruling
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Oct 12, 2015 12:36pm
A huge victory for PTI. Good show tigers :)
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Oct 12, 2015 12:38pm
Yes Congratulations to PML-N on their win......and to PTI, well done for winning provincial seat.
PTI you have come a long way from just 29 members to now...Keep up your good work as Lahore certainly is divided and PML- N with all its powers and experiance could just scrape through and that as well in one of their supposedly strong seats.
You lost the seat but won nearly half the vote.....keep going
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Oct 12, 2015 12:49pm
@ahmed which is sad for a person of his stature, who did good politics in UK and look what is he upto here now!
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Oct 12, 2015 01:01pm
dear sir , having perfected your political education in the So called British election processes over decades , where winners take it all in their 1st past the election process where even a vote of One is considered legitimate and resounding victory , Your terming of 3999 votes more than that British model of victory , is disgracing those 4000 voters and their capacity to choose between Right and Wrong ( in their own personal perception and you can not deny them that right sir ) .... Your words are a disgrace to your very own ( that's my view point )
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Oct 12, 2015 01:02pm
The voice of sense and reason......in politics PTI has come far.....this time it tried but failed, PML-N had the might if the Punjab bureaucracy behind it.....but there is always a next time and how PTI conduct themselves now, is what matters.
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Oct 12, 2015 01:15pm
Again it looks to me that PTI is a sour looser. Even if you loose by one vote you have lost the election and in this instance PTI lost by 4,000 votes.
Acknowledge the victory of PML candidate and move on for the betterment of Jinnah's Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2015 01:17pm
@Abdul Majeed Sheikh Yes because we are so insecure people that we will not let the representing our ethnicity lose. Only KPK seem to differ, as they voted based on current affairs in all 3 recent election first they tried religious people then ANP then PTI.
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Oct 12, 2015 01:17pm
But one run win in cricket is still a win !!
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Oct 12, 2015 01:17pm
Last night he said cameras were faulty but then realized the army was conducting elections and their cameras work so now he is trying to play rhetoric.
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Oct 12, 2015 01:29pm
I am not a PML-N supporter rather had been a PTI supporter until 2013 elections or at least till the time ‘dharna’ started and folded back. I therefore believe that without a self assessment and corrective measures, PTI should not hope for any better result in any future elections. This result is from the constituency where PTI is believed to have a big support, what would one expect from rural areas of Punjab ? Even the defeat with a small margin is very important here, if they realize it !
Not sure but would it make them realize that the real world is different from the Dreamworld and the world of Social Media ?
Would it make them realize that they will have to bring in real “change” first within the party itself rather than continuing with taken over leaders and candidates with stained background ?
Would it make them realize that they will have to perform both within and outside the parliament as mere press conferences and social media companying cannot earn them votes ?
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Oct 12, 2015 01:29pm
the best JOKE of the day.
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Oct 12, 2015 01:32pm
Looking back at the claims by PTI that NA-122 was rigged by at least 40000 votes. The wining candidate must be from PTI by at least 30000 votes margin. Is this the case?
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Oct 12, 2015 01:34pm
Thank you Mr. Sarwar for your good job. It was a tuff competition, one side the entire government machineries of Punjab and central governments and other side the Janoon of PTI followers. Well done PTI.
Thank you.
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Oct 12, 2015 01:48pm
This attitude is not expected from a political leader, who happens to have spend a much period of life in British, which is more organized and systematic society. He must admit wholeheartedly the defeat and greet the winner, instead of counting the margin of defeat. PTI should learn a lesson from its defeat and its leader Mr. Imran Khan, must ensure its attendance in the parliament and play a constructive role in the parliament by keeping a watchful eye on the role and performance of the government in power.
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Oct 12, 2015 02:03pm
Salute you Sir. you & your party workers effort have paid off. The fort NA 122 had been in PML N hand for 40 years has been breached & weakened, although PTI has nothing to show off in Lahore, but the margin has showed the confidence people have reposed in PTI & its leadership. This is nightmare for them, believe me, because the Provincial seat PP 147 has been snatched away from same constituency by PTI candidate. This is no small victory by any means, where your party has given sleep ness night to PML N leadership, who put all their human resources, ministers & even PM to campaign for their candidate. This sort of campaign for 1 seat by the ruling party shows their nervousness to the extent that NS had to make 2.5 hrs of press conference & take a round of the area NA 122 where he has never visited for the past 40 years for campaigning. This is moral victory for PTI & I salute them.
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Oct 12, 2015 02:26pm
@Shaid Kayani Prove your allegation. This is hearsay.
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Oct 12, 2015 02:37pm
Mr.sarwar this small margin you are mentioning can grow into a bigger margin when you take out the voters of JI , PAT , PMLQ .say even if you got 5000 voters from these parties than you need to check your performance as to where PTI stands.
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Oct 12, 2015 04:57pm
This is politics of corporate interests where ideology or any manifesto donot exists and only blame games and hollow slogans prevails . However PTI has performed well in securing votes inspite of differences among leadership . We understand from the results PMLn is losing its grip and holding in Lahore and has been able to win with narrow margin inspite of using state resources . However this is bad luck of working classes that they have no leadership or party which represent their cause for welfare . This politics of electable with power of wealth and personal faces where intellectualism and ideology are denied . This positive step towards democracy and nothing for solving of public and national issues .
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Oct 12, 2015 05:36pm
it was this margin defeat pti beated in dharna and asking 4 resignation of pm
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Oct 12, 2015 08:09pm
PTI has lost. What about the margin in Okara? It shows how popular is in Rural areas.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:29pm
PTI has done very well against all odds. Great effort by Choudhury Sarwar Sahib and his team. Defeat by a margin of 2500 votes is no defeat at all. Never mind and get ready for more challenges coming ahead.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:44pm
Defeat is a defeat even by one vote.
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Oct 12, 2015 08:47pm
@Yunus
you can believe whatever u want Sir, reality is Lahore does not belong to PTI either.
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Oct 12, 2015 11:50pm
PTI known to be youth party has turned to be veteran party with more seniors than youth
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Oct 13, 2015 02:35pm
@PinDrop - Close numbers - Could you please look up at the definition of an election in a democracy and the mode of win/lose.
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Oct 13, 2015 02:37pm
Loss by a small margin is not a loss - it is a dhandli.
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Oct 14, 2015 06:35pm
As usual PML-N invented new ways of Rigging, never heard before. Its a tragedy with this country that incumbent ruling party always opt to rig elections. People are with Imran Khan and not with those who have looted this nation ruthlessly.
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