BAGH: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam on Saturday said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) had delivered a clear verdict in favour of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), dismissing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s allegations of electoral rigging and expressing confidence that his party would form the next government in the territory.
Addressing a large PML-N election rally in Bagh ahead of the August 10 polling, he questioned how the PPP could allege rigging when the AJK government, prime minister, police and administration were under its own control during the electoral process.
If the government, prime minister, police and administration were yours, then how was the election rigged against you, he asked, saying the PPP should examine why voters had rejected it instead of blaming others for its electoral performance.
Muqam said the massive gathering in Bagh demonstrated where public support stood, adding that the PML-N had displayed its political strength before the people.
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Referring to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s election campaign in Bagh, he said both parties had held public meetings and the size and enthusiasm of the gatherings were there for everyone to judge. Merely making allegations will achieve nothing. The PPP should respect and assess the decision given by the people, he said.
Muqam maintained that the election results reflected public confidence in PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, as well as the party’s record of development and public service.
He said the people of AJK were politically conscious and understood the past performance, present conduct and future programmes of political parties before making their choice.
Recalling political developments in Gilgit-Baltistan, the federal minister said the PML-N had been in a position to form a government there but respected democratic norms and allowed the PPP, which had secured more votes, the opportunity to form the government, with PML-N members also supporting the process.
PML-N does not snatch anyone’s right, but, Insha’Allah, we will not allow anyone to take away our right either, he said.
Muqam said political differences and public grievances should be resolved through dialogue rather than protests that caused hardship to ordinary citizens.
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