LAHORE/ISLAMABAD - Opposition Leader in National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif Sunday alleged that the code of conduct for the AJK elections was violated openly on the poling day. In a press statement, he said that the way the workers of PML-N showed their enthusiasm and excitements in AJK elections was praiseworthy.
He said that despite massive violations of elections rules on the polling day, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz would win the AJK elections and the nation will remember those who created scenes of lawlessness. He also expressed condolences to the heirs of political workers who died during the clashes.
Pakistan People’s Party yesterday said the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf was playing with fire in the Azad Jammu Kashmir by allegedly rigging the state general elections.
Speaking at a news conference here, former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that the federal government had made the elections violent in AJK.
Farhatullah Babar, Senator Palwasha Khan, Senator Rubina Khalid, Nazir Dhoki, Nadeem Asghar Kaira and Sardar Zulfikar Ali were also present on the occasion. Raja Ashraf claimed the government used every tactic to undermine the AJK elections. “Federal ministers spoiled Kashmir’s election atmosphere. The violation of election ban on Kashmir Affairs Minister (Ali Amin Gandapur) has made a mockery of the entire system. They carried out a record breaking rigging,” he said.
The former PM said he spoke to AJK authorities and briefed them on the situation. “Our voters were tortured and there were many such incidents. The administration is holding PTI flags. The behaviour of the federal government deserves condemnation. The government has damaged the Kashmir cause,” he maintained.
Ashraf said the people of Occupied Kashmir had been imprisoned after Prime Minister Imran Khan came to power.
“Azad Kashmir elections are rigged? So what will happen to the general elections. Prime Minister Imran Khan should stop playing with fire. Imran Khan is trying to spoil the Kashmir case,” he added.
Ashraf said the PPP had lodged written complaints with the Election Commission. “The Chief Election Commissioner should take notice of the attitude of the federal government. This election will harm the Kashmir cause. The administration is supporting the PTI candidates. I have contacted the Chief Secretary, IG Azad Kashmir by phone. Federal ministers have made Azad Kashmir elections a joke,” he added.
Ashraf said that he will put the facts about AJK elections in front of the people. “The government, which claims to hold clean and transparent elections, has failed. Violent incidents are taking place in Azad Kashmir. The government did everything in the election that the constitution, the law of ethics does not allow,” he added.
“The solution to the Kashmir issue is the implementation of UN resolutions. The Prime Minister’s statement on Kashmir referendum is regrettable,” he said.
Ashraf said the Chief Election Commissioner should immediately investigate the complaints received. “The PPP has submitted written complaints to the Chief Election Commissioner. It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to hold free and transparent elections in Azad Kashmir,” he remarked.
Ashraf said that the PPP election camp in Rawalpindi has been uprooted. “The government is openly using the administration across the country. The government is depriving voters of their right to vote. PPP candidates have been tortured in Rawalpindi and Jhang,” he said.