Golden opportunity : ‘G-B polls a test for PML-N to dispel 2013 rigging accusations’

NA opposition leader Khursheed Shah urges federal govt to hold fair elections

GILGIT:

Legislative elections in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) are a test for the federal government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz to dispel the impression that it came to power in 2013 because of rigging, said Opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Monday.

Addressing the media in Gilgit city, Shah, a Pakistan Peoples Party leader, said PML-N has a golden opportunity to prove there was no rigging in the general elections. He was referring to the protests held last year by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek in the federal capital for nearly two months, accusing the ruling party of rigging and demanding a judicial probe.



According to Shah, PML-N could prove its accusers wrong by holding free and fair elections in G-B.

“There are reports that Governor Barjees Tahir is directing government officials to level the playing field for PML-N before G-B elections. But no party will remain silent if the reports are proved genuine,” said Shah who flew to Gilgit from Islamabad for the second time in two weeks to campaign for his party ahead of polls.

He also spoke of the steps taken by PPP since Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government in 1970s for G-B’s betterment. The Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009 which brought the region at par with other provinces was introduced by PPP, said Shah.

“Whatever powers local representatives enjoy today are because of PPP. Tell me if PML-N has done anything for G-B,” said Shah.

Former information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and PPP regional coordinator Jafar Shah were also present on the occasion.

Out for votes

As part of the party’s election campaign, senior leaders including Shehla Raza, Zamrud Khan, Afzal Nadim Chand and Nayyar Bukhari are visiting G-B in a bid to consolidate whatever is left of the party that has been crippled by recent defections. In the past two months, at least five senior leaders have left PPP and the party has been accused of promoting “a culture of corruption” in its previous tenure that ended in December.

Electioneering in the region is at its height with leaders of all major political parties visiting G-B to garner support for their candidates. Just last week, PTI chief Imran Khan was also in G-B and addressed rallies in Skardu and Ghanche.

Sixteen parties are fielding candidates for legislative assembly elections in 24 constituencies of G-B which will be held on June 8. According to the election commission, the total number of registered voters is 617,300, which includes 288,470 women.

In view of security concerns and after repeated requests by political parties, the army has been assigned the task to supervise the polls.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2015.