The Sindh High Court rejected on Thursday a petition of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf challenging the results of the bye-election of NA-237 Malir constituency of Karachi.

PTI’s Ali Zaidi had filed the petition Tuesday challenging Pakistan Peoples Party’s Abdul Hakeem Baloch Sunday win against PTI chief Imran Khan, alleging massive rigging. In a press conference later the same day, Zaidi urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold re-election on the seat.

In the bye-election held on Sunday, the PPP candidate obtained 32,567 votes while Imran Khan stood second with 22,493 votes, as per unofficial and unconfirmed results from all 194 polling stations.

In the plea, the PTI has made the ECP, the Sindh Government and Abdul Hakeem Baloch party to the application while accusing the PPP of casting ’’fake votes“.

The plea added that the PTI had notified the ECP of rigging while calling for a transparent investigation of complaints.

During today’s hearing, the SHC remarked that the PTI has the option to approach the election tribunal in case rigging took place.

The PTI lawyer responded that they had approached the ECP regarding the tribunal “but that door was not opened”.

NA 237 Malir

In Malir, eleven candidates contested for the by-election. Apart from Imran Khan and Abdul Hakeem Baloch, TLP’s Samiullah and PSP’s Aamir Shekhani contested from the same constituency.

The seat had fallen vacant after the resignation of PTI’s Jameel Muhammad.