RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Six thousand Punjab police personnel are being deployed in Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the June 7 election, it emerged on Sunday as the PTI reiterated its allegations of pre-poll rigging.
Punjab authorities had initially approved the deployment of 5,000 personnel to GB and later gave the nod for the deployment of 1,000 more police personnel.
The approval for the first 5,000 was notified in a memo by the Punjab assistant inspector general (operations), which stated: “5,000 police personnel have been placed at the disposal of Gilgit-Baltistan police for election security duty.
According to the memo, the Punjab police personnel will be equipped with anti-riot gear, and each bus used for their travel to GB will be escorted by four armed police personnel.
It said the motor transport department’s senior superintendent of police would make transport arrangements and select buses in good condition with fitness certificates for the purpose.
The drivers deputed to transport the police personnel to GB “must be well aware of the terrain they have to go through to reach the destination”, it added.
Later, the Punjab AIG (operations) issued another memo, saying that “1,000 more police personnel […] are placed at the disposal of Gilgit-Baltistan police for making security arrangements during elections”.
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore on Sunday and the two discussed the overall security situation in the country, a statement by the PM’s Office said.
It added that Naqvi briefed PM Shehbaz on arrangements by security institutions to ensure peaceful and organised elections in GB. “A comprehensive security plan has been made to maintain peace and a safe environment for voters,” according to the statement.
The statement quoted PM Shehbaz as saying that the government would continue all possible efforts for the democratic process.
‘Systematic pre-poll rigging’
Meanwhile, the PTI alleged on Sunday that “systematic pre-poll rigging” was under way ahead of GB elections on June 7.
In a statement, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the federal government of engineering the “pre-poll rigging”. The party further asserted that the government was “brazenly misusing state resources to suppress democratic voices and undermine the electoral process even before a single vote is cast”.
It further condemned what it described as the “partisan and unacceptable conduct” of the GB Election Commission, saying that the “commission issued a notice to the mother of former chief minister Khalid Khursheed, questioning why she had displayed a picture of her son on campaign posters”.
“Additionally, commission officials have contacted candidates and issued threats, directing them to abandon PTI and contest on tickets of government-backed parties”, the PTI claimed.
It accused the PML-N of violating the elections code of conduct, claiming that federal ministers belonging to the PML-N, including Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, had been “stationed in the region to influence the local administration”.
However, at the same time, PTI parliamentarians were being “prevented from entering GB”, the statement said.
“The Election Commission remains inexplicably silent on blatant violations by the ruling party while selectively targeting PTI candidates and their families,” it said, adding that the “selective approach” meant that the commission was being used as a “tool of the regime”.
“The ruling elite is in complete panic. By converting GB into a virtual police state, deploying Punjab police, and imposing unconstitutional barriers […] they have openly admitted their inability to face the people in a free and fair election,” the statement said.
The PTI added that GB was a “highly sensitive region” and the “brazen pre-poll rigging and repression will destroy the peaceful atmosphere and create deep, lasting resentment in the hearts of the people whose democratic rights are being denied”.
“Such grievances will endure for generations”, the statement added.
The PTI maintained that the government cannot “suppress the will of the people”.
“The regime’s fear-mongering actions will only hasten its own downfall,” it said, demanding that a “level playing field, an end to political victimisation, and the restoration of genuine democratic rights in GB”.
The PTI also urged civil society and human rights organisations to take note of the “blatant undemocratic and unconstitutional measures”.
As the polling day draws closer, several political parties have raised concerns about campaign-related restrictions and the overall electoral environment, with issues ranging from pre-poll irregularities and detentions to restrictions on political activities.
On Friday, several PTI leaders, including party president in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa MNA Junaid Akbar, were expelled from GB while campaigning for the upcoming elections.
Accounts from the PTI and its leaders also suggested that Akbar and his companions were briefly detained by the authorities before being expelled. However, an official statement by the GB government said that no arrests were made and the leaders had only been expelled for violating the election code of conduct.
On Saturday, PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser said he was unable to reach Islamabad airport in time for a flight to Skardu as access routes to Islamabad airport had been “blocked”, causing him to miss a planned campaign visit.
Videos shared by Qaiser showed long queues of vehicles near the airport entrance. He also posted footage of a discussion with individuals he identified as Punjab police officials, requesting that other passengers be allowed to proceed.
Amid these developments, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi wrote to the Chief Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court, expressing concern over reports that workers and leaders of the PTI were facing restrictions and harassment.
‘No discrimination’
GB Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan addressed a press conference on Sunday, maintaining that there would be no discrimination against any election candidate or political party.
He said strict compliance with the election code of conduct would be ensured and its violation would not be tolerated.
“Action will be taken without any discrimination and in accordance with the law against any attempt to sabotage the election process, disturb the law and order situation or spread provocation,” he warned.
The fundamental responsibility of the election commission was to hold fair, transparent and peaceful elections. “In this connection, a monitoring mechanism has been implemented and monitoring officers have been authorised to take immediate action over code of conduct violations,” he said.
Without naming anyone, he said some elements were trying to influence the election process and spread chaos, “which is a clear violation of the election code of conduct and the Pakistan Penal Code”.
“Action will be taken against individuals involved in such activities in accordance with the law,” he warned, adding that code of conduct violations could also lead to disqualification.
Responding to a question, he said Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam had got a no-objection certificate for his visit to GB. “All his activities are in accordance with the law and code of conduct.”
He further said abiding by the law and getting prior permission was necessary for others visiting from “the Centre or other provinces”.
Additional input from Jamil Nagri
