ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the third phase of the general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is underway, and the protesters have failed in their goal of stopping the elections.
While holding a press conference in Islamabad along with Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah said that Azad Kashmir and the federal government gave adequate time to the sit-in protesters; however, their main objective was to prevent the people from exercising their right to vote, which could not be achieved.
He said that the people of Azad Kashmir have given their mandate to the elected representatives; after the completion of the phase three elections, the government formation process will begin, and the government formed with the mandate of the people will solve the problems of Azad Kashmir.
Rana Sanaullah demanded that the protesters end the protest. He said that representatives can come to the assembly through by-elections on vacant seats and the elected government will take steps according to the legitimate demands and available resources.
He warned that legal action will be taken against elements who take up arms, mislead the public and take the law into their own hands. Attempts to harm or sabotage Azad Kashmir will not be tolerated, and those who violate the law will have to account for their actions.
Attempts to Disrupt Elections Failed: Rana Sanaullah
Rana Sanaullah has said that during the elections in Azad Kashmir, attempts were made to disrupt the polling process and snatch identity cards, etc from voters at some places, on which QRF personnel took immediate action and brought the situation under control.
He said that attempts were made to stop polling at 3 polling stations in Neeli constituency; however, workers of PPP candidate Ziaul Qamar resisted and took control of the situation. Firing also took place at an important polling station in Gadhakot of Dirport constituency.
He said that apart from a few minor incidents, no major untoward incident took place and the overall election process was going on.
Rana Sanaullah has said that during the elections in Azad Kashmir, the death of a senior citizen due to a heart attack occurred at Narakot, and apart from this, no major untoward incident took place.
He said that the law enforcement agencies are performing their responsibilities with full diligence, while additional FC contingents are also present in Azad Kashmir.
He said that after the completion of polling today, the election process in Azad Kashmir will be completed, after which the government formation phase will begin. According to the results so far, the Muslim League (N) will get a majority in Azad Kashmir, and a new era of construction and development will begin in Azad Kashmir during the tenure of the Muslim League (N).
On this occasion, Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam thanked the people of Azad Kashmir and said that the people have expressed full confidence in the Muslim League (N), which will be converted into practical measures.
Amir Muqam said that the construction and development of Azad Kashmir, serving the people and solving their problems, are the top priorities of the Muslim League (N).
He said that the participation of thousands of people in the Haveli rally and the enthusiasm of the people before polling was a clear expression of their commitment to the Muslim League (N). The allegations of the opponents are in their place; the people have responded with their votes.
AJK People Show Confidence in Electoral Process: Emir
Emir Muqam said that those coming from Sindh, Punjab and other areas should also respect the mandate of the people of Azad Kashmir.
Engineer Emir Muqam has said that the people of Azad Kashmir have expressed their confidence in the electoral process by voting in large numbers and have given their verdict, which should be respected.
Emir Muqam said that before the elections, the opposition candidates kept accusing the administration, police, DC, DIG, and other officers of bias; however, despite all the objections, the people came out of their homes in large numbers to vote. The full participation of the people is the success of Pakistan and the state of Azad Kashmir.
He said that the people of Azad Kashmir have trusted the leadership and candidates of the Muslim League (N), and if Allah gives them the opportunity, they will fulfill the promises made to the people. The PPP should respect the public mandate instead of making continuous allegations.
Amir Muqam said that the decision to hold phased elections was taken considering the circumstances and events; if the PPP had reservations about it, it should have expressed its position at that time.
According to him, in 2016, security personnel were deployed in Azad Kashmir from different provinces, so the objection of police personnel coming only from Punjab is unjustified.
He claimed that the public wave in Azad Kashmir is clear and the PPP has lost the elections; the people have made their decision known, which should be accepted.
Attempted to stop the process at some polling stations; the situation was immediately restored, Rana Sanaullah said.
Rana Sanaullah said that the elements staging the sit-in have failed in their main objective of preventing the people of Azad Kashmir from exercising their right to vote; they should end the protest so that the remaining seats can be filled through by-elections to the People’s Representative Assembly.
