Abbasi sees sinister designs behind delaying AJK polls

The PML-N leader questions constitutional standing of NCOC’s suggestion to postpone polls

ISLAMABAD:

Former prime minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday expressed apprehensions about the intentions behind NCOC’s letter that suggested postponement of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections for two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to media, Abbasi asked what has NCOC got to do with the elections, alleging that attempts to rig the elections were being made. "They are trying to repeat in Azad Kashmir what happened in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.

A day earlier, the NCOC had written a letter to the chief election commissioner of AJK and suggested that polls should be delayed in light of rising number of Covid-19 cases, cautioning that political gatherings could spread the virus in the state.

The PML-N leader further questioned the constitutional standing of NCOC’s suggestion. "Haven't elections been held in other parts of the country?"

The reports of NCOC recommending a delay were confirmed by AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider who alleged that the PTI government was trying to manipulate poll results in its favour.

Abbasi asserted that elections should be allowed according to the will of the people, adding, "We reject the NCOC letter. It should be withdrawn”.

"Consider it resistance or reconciliation, but the politics of PML-N is based on the constitution and principles," he said.

On the question of PLM-N’s gymnastics to bring PPP back into the PDM alliance, Abbasi refuted the reports and said there were "zero efforts" in this regard.

"Whoever broke the trust should restore it, otherwise the paths will stay separated. The PPP and ANP are not part of PDM at present," he said.