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.
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.
He urged political opponents to end confrontational politics and engage with the government, saying he and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan would continue facilitating the resolution of issues concerning the welfare of the Kashmiri people.
The federal minister expressed confidence that the PML-N had secured a clear position in AJK and would form the next government, while the people of Bagh would further strengthen the party’s mandate in the upcoming polling.
He urged voters to come out in large numbers on August 10 and support PML-N candidates, saying Bagh should become an active part of the next government and the development process.
Muqam said the PML-N leadership had always attached priority to AJK’s development and welfare, adding that commitments made to the people of Bagh and Haveli would be fulfilled.
He said Nawaz Sharif had a special interest in AJK’s development, while the performance of the federal government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and development initiatives being pursued by Maryam Nawaz in Punjab had strengthened public confidence in the party.
Muqam said the PML-N believed in completing constitutional tenures and strengthening democratic institutions, adding that the people of Kashmir had once again demonstrated their faith in democracy through the ballot.
Describing Bagh as a land of martyrs and ghazis, he said it was a source of immense pleasure for him to be among its people and expressed confidence that PML-N candidates would emerge victorious from the district.
PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, party candidates Mushtaq Minhas and Sardar Mir Akbar, newly elected assembly members, senior party leaders and thousands of workers and supporters attended the gathering.
