Crying foul: Tension rises as PTI, PML-N activists engage in standoff

Opposition parties reject results for PK-86 in by-election, cite PTI rigging.

SWAT: At least five people received minor injuries in a scuffle between supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday.

The injured were identified as Muhammad Saeed, Fazal Ghani, Alamdad, Khanzada and Inzar Gul, who were taken to a private clinic and discharged after receiving first aid.

According to DPO Swat, Sher Akbar Khan, the injured were traveling with other PTI workers and were on their way to congratulate their winning candidate, Dr Haider Ali Khan. The latter won the provincial constituency PK-86, Khawazakhela in Thursday’s by-elections.

When the rally reached Janu Kalay area of Khwazakhela tehsil, PML-N supporters allegedly started aerial firing and pelting stones at PTI vehicles. “The situation was out of control,” said Akbar.

DSP Khwazakhela, Muzakir Shah, confirmed Khan’s assessment of the scuffle when he arrived at the scene after the incident took place.

He said the situation worsened when PTI activists blocked Kalam-Khwazakhela Road and chanted slogans against the federal government, demanding the provincial government arrest those responsible for injuring their party workers.

Shah further added protesters came to Khwazakhela police station and filed a report against 24 PML-N members, some of which are local leaders in the area. These include Qaimoos Khan, Ali Nadir Khan, Sardar Khan and Muhammad Sher Ali.

In January 2014, an election tribunal disqualified PML-N MPA Qaimoos Khan for rigging and submitting a fake degree, leaving the seat open for re-election.

“Separate cases were filed against the accused under Section 265/506/237/and 429 of Pakistan Penal Code,” DSP Shah said.

Later, local leaders of opposition parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) and PML-N held a news conference at Mingora Press Club and announced their reservations over Thursday’s by-election results for PK-86 Swat-VII. Those addressing the media included PML-N’s Sardar Khan and Qaimoos Khan along with PPP District President Shamsher Ali Khan and ANP’s Ibrahim Delvi.

Opposition leaders said PTI rigged the polls, which is why they will never accept the result for PK-86 Swat VII. According to them, PTI activists paid millions of rupees to buy votes on election night.

They want NADRA to re-verify votes and the police to arrest those women allegedly involved in rigging at female polling stations.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2014.