Poll rigging to create anger in AJK: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Friday any rigging in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections would anger the voters who want to elect representatives of their own choice.

Talking to The News, he said: “Our candidates and supporters have informed us about phone calls and threats from unknown sources. Our voters are also being threatened from various quarters. These tactics would only create anger that would be disastrous in a region that is considered basecamp of freedom movement of Kashmir.”

He said: “I invite all independent organizations to conduct surveys, and I claim that PTI will stand fourth in these surveys after PML-N, PPP and Muslim Conference."

To a question, he said: “We are aware of many things happenings around us but I don’t want to mention them due to some reasons. Our party only wants free, and transparent elections."

The former premier said PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has energized the party’s support base, and presence of large crowds in her public meetings was really unprecedented especially in AJK politics.

“Maryam Nawaz has changed the whole political scenario of AJK and now the party workers are more dedicated and passionate and stand by the slogan of 'Give Respect to Vote',” he said.

When asked whether they would stage protest sit-in at Constitution Avenue (Islamabad) in case of rigging, he said “The party leadership will decide about it keeping in view the ground situation.