KARACHI: Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi, leader of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), has announced that his party will boycott the next March 9 presidential election.
Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi, speaking at a news conference, also expressed his support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in protest of what he called election cheating, encouraging GDA workers to join the protest.
“Our joint struggle aims to give a mandate to the real representatives of the people,” he said.
He stated that the results of the General Elections 2024 are still pending, adding that the mandate belongs to someone and would be granted to someone else.
Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi stated that the GDA had rejected the elections and that its ‘peaceful’ protest will continue to the natural end.
“Our demonstration will continue until the illegitimate government returns home. “We must protect the people’s votes,” the GDA head stated.
It is worth noting that the GDA was able to gain two general seats in the Sindh Assembly, and one of its lawmakers was also notified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about a reserved seat for women. However, the Pir Pagara-led party said that its legislators in the Sindh Assembly will not take oath in protest.
Earlier, on February 21, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) planned a protest against alleged cheating in the 2024 general election.
The alliance’s intention to join forces was declared after a meeting between PTI leader Haleem Adil Sheikh and JI Karachi Ameer Hafiz Naeem at the home of GDA’s Pir Sadaruddin Shah.
The group, founded in reaction to suspected manipulation in recent elections, reflects rising concerns among diverse political forces about the fairness and openness of the democratic process.
Maria Ghanchi