Lahore: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has pledged to get all the party's seats back in the general elections held in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) through legal and constitutional means. Bilawal has accused the ruling party of vote theft in the first phase of voting and has also demanded an investigation into the alleged rigging.
According to the results, out of 13 seats contested in Mirpur division, PML-N has won 9 seats and PPP has won 4 seats. Although the PPP has repeatedly criticized the electoral process, ruling PML-N leaders have rejected any allegations of rigging.
Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad late on Wednesday night, Bilawal Bhutto said that PPP has evidence of many polling stations where voting percentage was recorded up to 99%. He insisted that 30 polling stations had been captured. He warned that the party would not allow anyone to “grab” their votes and pledged to get all its seats back through legal and constitutional means.
Regarding Kashmir, Bilawal said, “The future of Kashmir will be decided by Kashmir only, no one else.” He said that PPP has the solution to the challenges facing Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. He said that the demands of PPP should be accepted and expressed hope that the party's grievances would be resolved before the second phase of voting to be held on August 2.
He also requested the Election Commission to take immediate action on the allegations of electoral irregularities. He said that if the investigation finds the Prime Minister of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir responsible for the disturbances, then the PPP will be ready to accept accountability on those terms.
The PPP Chairman requested all concerned parties to form a 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission' to investigate the election-related allegations and submit a report. He also requested all concerned parties not to hold any further protests until the Commission completes its investigation. Bilawal also called upon the officials to restore internet services in Muzaffarabad keeping in mind the convenience of the local people.
PPP Chairman Bilawal also warned against boycotting the second phase of PoK elections. He said that by doing this, people accused of rigging will get more freedom to manipulate the electoral process. Referring to PML-N's political stronghold in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Bilawal said, “In an environment of boycott, the decision on the PoK government will be taken not by Kashmir but by Raiwind.”
Chairman of Pakistan People's Party said that Kashmiri people are very angry with the party whose ministers had raised the question whether the people of Rawalakot are really Kashmiris. Bilawal said that the public will reject those who want to win elections through violence and coercion. He also warned, “The government should fear the day when the PPP will say that we do not accept these elections.”
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