PML-N plans protests against ‘AJK poll rigging’

Published July 30, 2021
PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said that in the first phase the party’s candidates would hold protest rallies in their respective constituencies in AJK. — APP/File
PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said that in the first phase the party’s candidates would hold protest rallies in their respective constituencies in AJK. — APP/File

ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to hold protests against alleged rigging in the recently-held elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and to publish a white paper highlighting irregularities and mismanagement committed during the poll process.

The decision was made at a meeting of the party’s central leadership with all party candidates at Kashmir House here on Thursday.

Talking to Dawn, PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said that in the first phase the party’s candidates would hold protest rallies in their respective constituencies in AJK after which the party leadership would decide further strategy.

Moreover, Mr Iqbal said the party would also lodge a protest over the alleged rigging in the AJK polls during the National Assembly session on Friday.

Ahsan says results proved PTI govt is not a true representative of people

Mr Iqbal said the outcome of the results of the AJK polls and the by-election in Sialkot had proved the PML-N’s viewpoint that the present government of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was not a true representative of the people and it had been imposed through coercion and rigging.

The two recent elections had once again exposed the hollowness of the democratic setup in the country, he said, adding that Imran Khan was the central character of the present “democratic drama”.

Mr Iqbal said the PML-N’s narrative of vote ko izzat do (respect the vote) was strengthening day by day in the country. He said the PML-N would continue its struggle till establishment of the supremacy of the Constitution, parliament and the people’s rule.

Mr Iqbal refuted reports about division within the party ranks, saying that those talking about rifts in the PML-N were “living in fools’ paradise”. He alleged that such rumours were being generated by the “media gang of propaganda”.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Cholistan project
18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

THE Green Pakistan Initiative took off with the launch of three business franchises under the umbrella project in...
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...
Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...