Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday alleged that holding elections in phases was aimed at 'facilitating rigging', demanding transparent polls in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the formation of a truth commission.
“Why were elections not held in a free and fair manner in any phase?” Bhutto-Zardari asked, saying Kashmir was one unit and elections should also be held at the same time. He said there had never been a practice of conducting elections in six phases.
Bhutto-Zardari said he wanted seats from Poonch Division and would show that his party could form the government. He claimed that the PML-N would face defeat in the Poonch elections.
The PPP chairman alleged that rigging had taken place in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad, and said attention was now being turned towards voters in Poonch. He claimed that the PML-N already believed that 10 seats were secured.
He said the purpose of phased elections was to create opportunities for rigging and questioned whether those responsible were ready to establish a truth commission or hold transparent elections.
Bhutto-Zardari said that the PPP wanted fair elections in AJK and the creation of a truth commission.
Commenting on the political matters, Bhutto-Zardari said the proposal for new provinces could only be implemented when people had power. He said the system would remain unchanged until people were accepted as the source of power.
He said the constitution had repeatedly been broken, weakening the system. “If the system has collapsed, then its solution must also be given,” he said.
Bhutto-Zardari claimed that the current dispute was a conflict between Lahore and Islamabad, adding that it was not an alliance but a disagreement. He said the PPP was an ally of the government, but one of its members was shot in AJK.
He alleged that a particular group within the PML-N wanted to create differences between the prime minister and his allies and was blocking every effort made by him.
Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP had no complaint against the Prime Minister and that his efforts and intentions were positive. However, he alleged that people around him were not sincere.
He claimed that senior figures were saying the government had collapsed and that its countdown had started. He added that the government in Islamabad was also facing a threat.
Bhutto-Zardari said the situation would become clear on 10 August, adding that some people believed they would form the government in Azad Kashmir.
