The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to launch a formal inquiry into complaints of alleged rigging in the recent by-election held in Haripur’s NA-18 constituency, senior officials confirmed on Saturday.
According to Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information, Shafi Jan, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has directed authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly, with scrutiny extending from Class-IV employees up to district-level officers. He said anyone found involved would face strict action.
Shafi Jan maintained that the provincial government does not believe its officials manipulated the election process, yet the administration is proceeding with the inquiry to ensure transparency. “In my view, the way Sohail Afridi conducted the elections is unmatched,” he said.
He added that the government is also preparing to send a formal reference to the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding the allegations. Statements from presiding officers are being recorded, along with sworn affidavits to determine what transpired at the polling stations.
The by-election in Haripur saw PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan defeat the PTI-backed candidate, Shahrnaz—wife of PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan. PTI later claimed that its supported candidate had actually secured a lead of around 25,000 votes, but was shown as the loser in the official Form-47 issued after compilation of results.
The matter has triggered political controversy in the province, prompting the KP government’s move toward a formal investigation.
