Govt involved in rigging to get choice results in Gilgit-Baltistan elections, alleges Farooq

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz spokesman and Gilgit-Baltistan Parliamentary Board member Siddiq-ul-Farooq has alleged that the PPP government has been involved in pre-elections rigging of Gilgit-Baltistan to get choice results.

Addressing a news conference here on Sunday, he said the government has planned rigging plan on elections day and it would make the elections of this sensitive area controversial and its results would be negative.

According to him, the federal government and its ministers are using resources and administration of Gilgit-Baltistan and the sensitive status of the region demands that the elections should be made free, impartial and transparent.

He demanded of the government to appoint independent observers with the consultations of all the political parties, so that they could monitor the electoral process.

Showing facts of pre-elections rigging, Siddique said electoral lists were being prepared and no appropriate strategy of its verification has been made due to which unlimited fake votes and rigging is possible.

Referring to Benazir Income Support Program, he said its forms were distributed by MNAs but 50 thousands forms in Gilgit-Baltistan were distributed among blue eyed people of PPP through unselected people.

He said the government has cut 1.75 billion rupees from the previous budget of Gilgit-Baltistan and now projects are being announced according to will of expected candidates and work on started projects has been halted.

PML-N leader said after the announcement of election schedule, transfers and postings are banned but the federal government has Assistant Commissioner Abdul Aziz of district Ganche and Assistant Commissioner Mir Waqar of district Astoor on the demand of expected candidates.

The residents of district Astoor, he added, staged protest demonstration against the transfer of Mir Waqar but to no avail, adding, junior officer has been appointed as Election Officer by promoting him from scale-17 to scale-18, which is violation of justice and laws.

PML-N spokesman said civil judges have been appointed returning officers but the administration has been made autonomous practically by placing them under deputy commissioners.

In reply to a question, he said the package of the federal government regarding the Gilgit-Baltistan is not enough and PML-N would complete it after coming into power and would start new period of development.

To another question, he said the PPP government due to its partial strategy has put negative effects on the positive aspects of Gilgit Baltistan package, adding, PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would visit the area soon.