LAHORE: Former prime minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab President Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Tuesday demanded an impartial investigation into alleged rigging in the NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan by-election, where PPP candidate Dost Muhammad Khosa was defeated.
In a statement, Ashraf said Khosa had raised “serious and credible” concerns about irregularities in the polling process held last Sunday. He added that the allegations warranted immediate attention from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure transparency and public trust in the electoral system.
Ashraf further claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), an ally in the federal coalition, violated a prior understanding between the two parties. “There was an agreement that runners-up from the general elections belonging to either party would contest the by-elections with the other’s full support. But the PML-N ignored this agreement in NA-185,” he alleged.
Questioning the behaviour of a coalition partner, Ashraf said: “Why did this situation arise despite the PPP being a government ally?” He stressed that the issue went beyond party grievances and directly affected the credibility of the democratic process.
Dost Muhammad Khosa speaks out after the #NA185 results in Dera Ghazi Khan.@BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/E1yO929RhP
— Syed Aly Trimzi (@iAliTrimzi) November 24, 2025
The PPP leader urged the chief election commissioner to take immediate notice and conduct a “transparent, impartial and rigorous” investigation. He said those responsible for any wrongdoing must face strict action to prevent similar incidents in future by-polls.
Meanwhile, the PPP announced that it will mark its 58th Foundation Day on November 30 with a public event at Bilawal Park on Raiwind Road, Lahore. The decision was finalised in a meeting at the People’s Secretariat chaired by PPP Lahore Secretary General Rana Jamil Manj.
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A 13-member coordination committee for the event was formed under senior leader Haji Azizur Rehman Chan. The committee includes Rana Jamil Manj, Faisal Mir, Faiza Malik, Zahid Zulfiqar, Asif Nagra, Chaudhry Atif Rafique, Amjad Jatt, Fayyaz Bhatti, Chaudhry Riaz, Yasir Bara, Rana Ashaar and Shahbaz Durrani.
Party organisers said preparations had begun to ensure participation from across Lahore as the PPP seeks to showcase unity ahead of upcoming political challenges.
