No let-up in PPP, PML-N war of words

Sana questions PPP's democratic credentials; Ghani accuses PML-N of rigging

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:

The PML-N and the PPP intensified their public confrontation on Saturday, escalating the electoral feud beyond the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections as senior leaders traded accusations over alleged rigging.

Addressing a public gathering in Jhelum Valley alongside Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Sanaullah questioned the PPP's own democratic legitimacy.

"If you call the votes secured by the prime minister votes of Forms-47, then on what forms has the president gotten votes on?" he asked, referring to President Asif Ali Zardari.

Sanaullah also responded to criticism of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, saying, "If you say to Mian Nawaz Sharif that he became the prime minister for the first time or every time through rigging, […] then remember, it is also discussed here that someone also became the prime minister for the first time after breaking apart the country".

The remark was widely seen as a reference to PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who assumed power after the separation of East Pakistan and later became prime minister under the 1973 Constitution.

The prime minister's adviser on political affairs also criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi over his recent remarks advocating new administrative units and provinces.

Addressing the same gathering, Amir Muqam criticised the PPP's governance in Sindh, saying there was little to show for the party's long tenure in the province.

Ghani hits back

Earlier in the day, PPP leader and Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani blasted the PML-N, alleging that the party had never won power without electoral manipulation.

Addressing a news conference in Karachi, Ghani said, "The PPP did not secure power through rigging in any of the elections held till today."

"On the other hand, however many times the PML-N has secured power, it has not been without rigging."

Responding to PML-N leaders who had urged the PPP not to lecture others on democracy, Ghani quipped, "If you do not want to give the PPP the right to speak on democracy, then will you give it to Gen Musharraf or Gen Zia, or the leaders created by them?" He alleged that the PPP had repeatedly been denied power through manipulated elections.

Ghani claimed Nawaz Sharif had conspired against former prime minister Mohammad Khan Junejo following the 1985 elections and alleged that the PPP had been the victim of rigging in the 1988 and 1990 elections, which brought the PML-N to power.

He further alleged that the PPP was prevented from forming the Punjab government in 1993 and was reduced to "16-17 seats" in the 1997 elections when the PML-N returned to office.

Although the PPP formed the federal government in 2008, Ghani claimed the PML-N had still benefited from electoral engineering in Punjab during the tenure of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

He also alleged that the PML-N had been "made to win" the 2013 elections.

Referring to the 2024 general elections, Ghani said, "Then the elections in 2024 [took place]. No matter how many times they say, everyone, even children, know that the PML-N was badly defeated in the elections."

He further alleged that Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had all "lost their own seats and then blame us".