ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – In his ongoing diatribe against Nawaz Sharif-led federal government, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan on Sunday issued a warning that his group, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, will take to streets if the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan are rigged.
Khan, while interacting with reporters here, accused Prime Minister Sharif of nominating his own ‘umpire’ for the (GB) region. He was however hopeful that his party would stand victorious in the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections and in the next general elections as well, no matter whatever tricks the prime minister employed.
He alleged the federal government was following in the footsteps of former dictator Pervez Musharraf to perpetuate its regime.
“The government had maintained 12 cabinet ministers — all of whom were PML-N members — in Gilgit-Baltistan’s caretaker setup instead of three cabinet members,” he added.
Khan also complained that the chief election commissioner was from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain had appointed Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Mohammad Barjees Tahir as governor of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), in a move that stired up controversy in the run-up to the coming council elections.
He said he was presenting the facts well before the election unlike in the general election, and warned that his party would preemptively resist poll-rigging in Gilgit Baltistan.
Talking about the upcoming Senate elections Khan said that people belonging to a particular province should not be able to contest Senate polls from another province. “Why should the Senate polls be held under a secret ballot when we all know it gives rise to the chance of horse-trading,” he remarked.
He called on all political parties to amend the laws in order to hold direct elections for the Senate.
Meanwhile, as many as 55 noted politicians from Azad Jammu and Kashmir joined PTI folds, announced former AJK prime minister Barrister Sultan, who was flanking Imran Khan.
Sultan said these politicians were earlier part of the PML-N, Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid. The government was, he said, trying to postpone local bodies elections in Mirpur fearing PTI’s victory.
