Fawad Chaudhry, a former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, announced a boycott of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8. Fawad, who was contesting for National Assembly seats from Jehlum, expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), claiming it had failed in its duties.

In a letter to the ECP, Fawad cited political victimization, threats, and arrests of party workers, along with the rejection of nomination papers, as reasons for the boycott. Fawad, currently in custody on corruption charges, questioned the meaning of elections in a situation where he perceived there was “no choice.”

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Fawad’s letter highlighted his arrest and the alleged intimidation of workers as factors influencing the decision to boycott the elections. He accused the ECP of rejecting his nomination papers without justification. Fawad’s brother, Faisal Chaudhry, also named in a National Accountability Bureau case, was cleared to contest elections. Fawad questioned the fairness of the electoral process and criticized the lack of choices.

Fawad Chaudhry has been in custody since November on corruption charges. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested him in December in connection with a corruption case related to development projects in Jhelum. Despite his legal challenges, Fawad’s decision to boycott the elections adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape ahead of the scheduled polls on February 8.