G-B polls: PPP, JUI-F accuse governor of meddling in electioneering

GILGIT:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s active politicking in Gilgit-Baltistan has raised a few eyebrows in opposing camps.

In separate press conferences held on Friday, both Pakistan Peoples Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl have broken their silence and lambasted G-B Governor Barjees Tahir and Kashmir Affairs and G-B Federal Secretary Shahid Baig for “preparing ground for a PML-N victory”.

Talking at Gilgit Press Club, PPP’s Jamil Ahmed, who is also a candidate for Gilgit BGLA-II, accused the aforementioned of pressing government officials into campaigning for Nawaz Sharif’s men. PPP has lost several members of late to PML-N.

Ahmed urged the federal government and chief election commissioner to ensure a level playing field for all participants. “Authorities must step in to contain the governor and federal secretary’s activities,” he said.

The former G-B deputy speaker said his party initiated some unparalleled development projects in its tenure and people “will be able to differentiate between opportunists and ideological politicians”. He said, “People have not forgotten the legislation against terrorism and the formation of peace and masjid committees.”

Ahmed lashed out at PML-N G-B chief Hafizur Rehman and said the leader has been dreaming of becoming the chief minister even before elections were announced.

The JUI-F leader’s statements echoed similar sentiments.

Speaking at the same venue, JUI-F regional chief Sarwar Shah said his party will take to the streets if the governor does not keep himself from meddling in electioneering. Shah was of the view that Tahir is carrying out pre-poll rigging while being in office.

“We have no doubt about the federal government’s intention to rig G-B elections,” he said.

The JUI-F leader said his party is a proponent of peaceful politicking but will not remain silent over the theft of its mandate. “We will launch demonstrations of a scale that will make Imran Khan’s Islamabad protest look tiny,” he maintained.

“We have now realised why they were really appointed,” said Shah. He predicted JUI-F will secure at least six of the 24 seats in the G-B legislature in the polls scheduled for June 8.

Hitting back

Later in the day, Rehman also turned up at the press club, responding to allegations. “The hysteria of our opponents speaks to our popularity,” he said. Rehman said in 2009, the PPP used its influence to rig polls and now when an independent caretaker set-up is in place, they are crying foul. G-B’s lone and first female candidate Parveen Ghazi announced to join PML-N on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2015.