KARACHI: Three main opposition parties — the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami and Grand Democratic Alliance — staged rallies, protests and sit-ins across the province on Saturday to observe a ‘black day’ to mark the first anniversary of what they called fraudulent Feb 8 general elections and vowed to reclaim the “stolen mandate” through the power of the people.

In Karachi, the PTI staged a power show near the Karachi Press Club Roundabout, formerly known as Fawara Chowk, where a large number of party workers, including women and children, gathered in response to the countrywide call for protests.

Addressing the protesters, PTI-Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh said that the presence of large number of Karachhiites at the demonstration reflected their hatred against the “fake government”.

“We stand here today to make it clear that not only was the people’s mandate stolen in the Feb 8, 2024 elections, but the democracy of our country was also undermined,” he said.

PTI observes ‘black day’ on first anniversary of Feb 8 polls

“We pledge to raise the voice of our people and we will not rest until the people’s rights are restored,” he asserted.

He also condemned the alleged arrests and violence against peaceful protesters in various cities of Sindh.

“In the name of democracy, Bilawal Zardari has established a dictatorship in Sindh. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has plundered the rights of the people of Sindh and bargained away the province’s resources to gain power. Hence, the PPP has lost its credibility in Sindh,” he added.

He alleged that over 80 PTI National Assembly (NA) seats were stolen and that a government of “corrupt criminals” was imposed on the people.

PTI Karachi President Raja Azher also spoke.

JI holds demo outside ECP office

The JI staged a sit-in outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Sindh office in Saddar, where party leaders accused the electoral watchdog of conniving with non-democratic forces in the 2024 general elections.

Addressing the sit-in, JI Karachi chief Munem Zafar said that those who lost badly in the Feb 8 polls were declared victorious, breaching the people’s trust in the electoral process.

“The PPP and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) were rejected by the people of Karachi, yet they were still imposed to rule the country, which shows the disrespect and disregard for people’s votes,” he said. “In this fraudulent election, the Election Commission was equally responsible for colluding with these non-democratic forces and granting them a fake mandate. This system will not last long, and sooner or later, the people of Pakistan will reclaim their lost mandate,” he added.

GDA stages protest at KPC

The GDA also staged a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club.

Addressing the demonstration, senior party leader Sardar Abdul Raheem said that the people of Sindh, including migrants, had actively participated in the protest, sending a strong message against the fraudulent elections.

He emphasised that the people of Sindh would never accept the rigged elections.

Sardar Abdul Raheem congratulated the workers for peacefully protesting across Sindh on this ‘black day’.

He stated that rejected rulers were sitting in the assemblies, making decisions against the interests of the people.

“On this day last year, the people’s mandate was stolen. Feb 8 is a dark day in the country’s history, as the government was formed through Form 47,” he added.

He asserted that protesting to reclaim one’s rights is a fundamental right of every citizen, as the rigged mandate has led to a constitutional crisis in the country due to the manipulation of the 26th Amendment.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2025