Being a democrat, several politicians from various political parties have accepted their defeats in their respective constituencies and also congratulated their opponents who won against them. The new tradition is a novel addition to Pakistani democracy where defeats are being accepted as part of the democratic process and contest.
Khawaja Saad Rafique
Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique lost his constituency to PTI-backed independent candidate Barrister Latif Khosa.
Khawaja Saad Rafique wrote: “Heartfelt congratulations to Sardar Latif Khosa. I accept the public’s decision open-heartedly. May Allah give you strength to the coming parliament to overcome the national crisis by unity?”
Amir Haider Khan Hoti
Awami National Party senior leader and former chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti openly accepted the responsibility for the defeat of ANP in all constituencies of his native Mardan district.
“If the people of my constituency and Mardan do not trust us, then I am accepting the responsibility for this defeat.”
He also announced his resignation from the position of the central senior vice president of the party and as a junior member of the party
Hoti said he will remain in Bacha Khan’s convoy.
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar—former spokesperson of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari—who now contested as an independent candidate said he has no shame in saying that he openly admitted his defeat.
“It is sad to see that PTI candidate Ali Bukhari has been defeated in constituency NA-48 Islamabad seat while he was winning. Those who are said to have changed the result were nowhere in the race.
“Similarly, Shoaib Shaheen has also won from constituency NA-47 with a clear margin, but the results are not being handed over to him either. This is the worst kind of rigging and short of playing with fire,” Khokhar warned.
Ali Tareen
Ali Khan Tareen on behalf of his father Jahangir Khan Tareen also accepted the defeat and said: “Our opponent in NA- 149 Multan, Amir Dogar from PTI ran a great campaign. His campaign was very well organised and effective. A deserved victory.”
