ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday announced that it would not recognise the government of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Gilgit-Baltistan as a legitimate one.

Releasing a fact-sheet on the alleged rigging in the November 12 elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, a member of the PML-N's parliamentary board Siddiqul Farooque said the PPP's government in the northern areas would be a “de facto” regime.

Mr Farooque regretted that the PPP in an open violation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD), signed by former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto three years ago, massively rigged the polls and broke all previous records in this regard.

He said the PPP's credibility had suffered as all the political parties had declared the Gilgit-Baltistan elections as rigged.

He criticised the PPP for not consulting opposition parties before nominating the election commissioner.

Mr Farooque alleged that Governor Qamaruz Zaman Kaira used the state machinery and the election commission to the benefit of the PPP and himself supervised the PPP candidates' election campaign in Gilgit, Ghizer, Astore, Diamir, Ghanche, Skardu and Hunza.

Moreover, on the last day of the election campaign, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani launched development projects worth billion of rupees and announced 5,000 posts in police department.

He accused the chief secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan of distributing money from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Baitul Maal Funds among the people to buy votes.

He further accused Inspector General of Police Tehsin Anwar and Superintendent of Police Nizamuddin of conniving with the PPP candidates and victimising the opponents.

Opinion

Editorial

PTI in disarray
Updated 30 Nov, 2024

PTI in disarray

PTI’s protest plans came abruptly undone because key decisions were swayed by personal ambitions rather than political wisdom and restraint.
Tired tactics
30 Nov, 2024

Tired tactics

Matiullah's arrest appears to be a case of the state’s overzealous and misplaced application of the law.
Smog struggle
30 Nov, 2024

Smog struggle

AS smog continues to shroud parts of Pakistan, an Ipsos survey highlights the scope of this environmental hazard....
Solidarity with Palestine
Updated 29 Nov, 2024

Solidarity with Palestine

The wretched of the earth see in the Palestinian struggle against Israel a mirror of themselves.
Little relief for public
29 Nov, 2024

Little relief for public

INFLATION, the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services over a given period of time, has receded...
Right to education
29 Nov, 2024

Right to education

IT is troubling to learn that over 16,500 students of the University of Karachi (KU) have defaulted on fee payments...