LAHORE: PTI’s Pun­jab president Dr Yasmin Rashid on Wednesday said the nation had rejected the “May 9 narrative” by voting the party-backed candidates in the Feb 8 general election.

The mandate of people was stolen on Feb 9, the next day of elections, Ms Rashid said while talking to reporters in an antiterrorism court, where she and other PTI leaders were taken from jail for the hearing of May 9 violence cases against them.

Criticising Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the PTI leader said the Ramazan package announced by the former was not enough for poor people of the province.

She said Ms Nawaz had discussed the health card scheme at length in her maiden speech on the floor of the assembly, but ignored the poverty of citizens who were unable to feed their children.

“The princess has no knowledge of people’s miseries,” she taunted Ms Nawaz. “I know what poverty is as I have served in a government hospital for 35 years.”

Ms Rashid alleged that the daughter of a three-time prime minister was elected to the assembly by rigging the election, claiming those who lost in Form 45, won in Form 47.

Earlier, the court adjou­r­­ned the hearing of three ca­­ses against the PTI leaders and activists till March 7.

Imprisoned Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former go­­vernor Omar Sarfraz Chee­­­ma and former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed were also produced before the court.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024