On July 15, 2025, Zulfi Bukhari appeared before the Tom Lantos Commission, painting a grim, yet utterly baseless, picture of Pakistan’s democratic health. His testimony, a familiar symphony of victimhood and unsubstantiated allegations, offered nothing new, merely rehashing a narrative designed to garner international sympathy at the expense of national truth. It is necessary to set the record straight: Pakistan is not descending into oppression; it is confronting a determined attempt to destabilise its very foundations by those who refuse to accept democratic outcomes and accountability.
It is not the Government of Pakistan, but elements within PTI itself that have been a true trademark of physical, mental, and economic distress in Pakistan.
Bukhari’s credibility itself is highly questionable. His tenure in government was marred by serious allegations of corruption, including involvement in the Rawalpindi Ring Road scam and the Al-Qadir Trust case, where properties were seized, and he stands as a named defendant. For someone with such a tainted past to now lecture on governance and human rights is an absurdity that speaks volumes about the motivation behind his theatrics. Indeed, it is not the Government of Pakistan but elements within PTI itself that have been a true trademark of physical, mental, and economic distress in Pakistan, yet they play the victim. Their cries of state-led persecution are as absurd as their conduct.
His repeated allegations of widespread rigging in the General Elections 2024 are nothing more than politically motivated attempts to elicit sympathy. The reality on the ground contradicts his narrative entirely. Approximately 60 million voters participated in elections for 265 National Assembly and 590 Provincial Assembly constituencies. Male turnout at 51.6% exceeded female turnout at 42.6% by a significant 9 percentage points – an unprecedented participation rate for women in Pakistan’s electoral history. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) organised the largest electoral exercise in Pakistan’s history, involving over 1.1 million election officials and substantial security arrangements, all in a highly professional and organised manner.
International observers, including the Commonwealth Observer Group, confirmed receiving full briefings and timely responses from the ECP, police, civil society, and media throughout the electoral process. The Commonwealth Group, among others, commended the Election Commission staff for conducting elections involving 128 million registered voters with efficiency and professionalism. These direct observations by reputable international bodies squarely contradict Zulfi Bukhari’s claims of rigging and malpractice.
Furthermore, Pakistan made commendable strides towards greater inclusivity. The national gender gap in registered voters was significantly reduced from nearly 13% in 2013 to approximately 7.5% in 2024. Additionally, 60 National Assembly seats were reserved for women to ensure their representation. Far from being repressive, the 2024 elections incorporated inclusive arrangements for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women, steps that were acknowledged by international observers for improving accessibility.
Bukhari’s portrayal of military trials is another gross political distortion. The events of May 9, 2023, were not peaceful protests; they were coordinated acts of arson, looting, and desecration targeting defence installations, military infrastructure, and national monuments. These actions severely undermined national security, morale, and discipline of the Armed Forces, necessitating jurisdiction under existing military laws.
The Supreme Court’s recent May 2025 ruling explicitly reinstated the applicability of the Pakistan Army Act for civilians involved in such attacks, further solidifying their legal basis. Importantly, the Supreme Court has also directed the Parliament to legislate on appellate jurisdiction, ensuring that concerns about oversight are addressed within the legal framework. While Bukhari claims Pakistan stands alone, let’s correct him: Pakistan stands united against those who attacked military installations, looted martyrs’ memorials, and tried to wage war on the state. Civilians did not end up in military courts for casting votes; they ended up there for torching the GHQ, breaking into Corps Commander houses, and waging a coordinated assault on Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Bukhari’s attempt to paint convicted individuals as innocent voters is a dangerous whitewash. They were convicted under due legal process for participating in organised acts of violence designed to provoke mutiny, not legitimate protest. Where was due process when PTI mobs broke into secure zones? Where was the constitution when the graves of martyrs were desecrated and national secrets were exposed? PTI did not just cross red lines; it bulldozed every institution that stood in its path. Now, when the state asserts its authority, suddenly, they become human rights crusaders. You do not get to burn down the house and then demand a seat at the dinner table.
The writer is a freelance columnist.