Rigging charges on GB elections baseless, unrealistic: Kaira
ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Saturday said India’s objections with regard to Gilgit-Baltistan election, are baseless and have no link with the realities on ground. Talking to PTV in a telephonic interview, the Minister who is also the Acting GB Governor said, that people in the Indian Held Kashmir are deprived of even basic rights and they are living under worst type of state repression.
He said the people of IHK have been facing the state repression for past so many years with bravery and they have rendered great sacrifices in this regard.
On other hand, the people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and GB are living in peace and pleasure and whenever the Government of Pakistan gives them some new incentives, Indians get worried because it exposes them before the comity of nations.
He said that Government of Pakistan has tried to give self rule to the people of GB and the areas have not been declared as Constitutional part of the country.
“We have empowered the people of GB in line with the UN resolutions”, the Minister said.
Kaira said that some results from certain polling stations are yet
awaited and hopefully the first phase of election would be completed in
a couple of days.
The election of special seats would be conducted after the completion
of first phase, he said adding after the enthusiastic participation of
the GB people in election process, the powers would be transferred to
their elected representative as soon as possible.
He said nomination of Chief Minister would be done by top party leadership with consensus and a final world in this connection would come from the party chairman.
Responding to a question with regard to rigging charges by certain
quarters the Minister said, “we have been saying from day one that if
someone has any specific issue with regard to GB election it sould be
shared with the government and we will address it”.
He said that government does not want the election to become controversial in any way.
Those who are levelling baseless allegations are in fact negating the mandate of GB people, he added.
He said that for the first time the election was held under the supervision of judiciary.
Around 300 observers and entire media were present in the area who closely observed the process, he added.
Kaira said that objection was also being raised on his presence in the area.
PPP has losed from two Skardu and four Diamir constituencies he said added “was it due to rigging on his or the government’s part”.
He said PM’s visit was also being questioned by certain quarters but
they were forgetful of the fact that entire leadership of PML-N
including Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, the leadership of PML-Q,
MQM, ANP, JUIF also visited the area.
The Punjab and NWFP governments even announced certain packages
for the people, the Minister said that PPP has welcomed these steps because they are focused for the welfare of GB people.
He said that Prime Minister announced nothing new during his recent visit rather he announced certain packages during his earlier visit much before the election.
The fact is that leadership and workers of certain political parties
had launched an aggressive and comprehensive election campaign and they
had big hopes with the results.
As the results were contrary to their expectation, they are now making hue and cry, he added.
Kaira said that PPP is traditionally and popular party in the area and
it had bagged 8 seats during the election that were held under
Musharraf’s rule.
