GILGIT: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activists clashed with police clashed against the unofficial results of Gilgit-Baltistan constituency.
According to DIG Gilgit Waqas Ahmed, violence erupted soon after the clash when around 20-25 protesters torched a government building and four vehicles. There were reports of clashes with the police on the River View Road and various other places.
Demonstrations were also staged in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan including Skardu and Chilas. There were reports of clashes with the police on the River View Road and various other places. Additional police contingents were deployed in the wake of a tense situation.
Earlier today, PPP Gilgit chapter president Amjad Hussain had announced peaceful protests will be held at various locations. The party is protesting the results of GBA-2 (Gilgit II) in Gilgit after a recount which declared PTI candidate Fatehullah Khan the winner.
The PPP has strongly condemned the violence against its protesting workers. PPP spokesman Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the federal government is now resorting to violence after stealing the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
He said the people were protesting peacefully against the theft of their votes but they were clubbed, tear-gassed and fired upon. He said the Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz announced the result in GB-2 constituency before completion of forensic analysis of votes.
He said the government wants to create a law and order situation through violence against the peaceful protestors. He said the CEC and the federal government will be held responsible if the situation goes out of control.
While calling the shelling and firing on peaceful protesters as reprehensible, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the workers have the right to peaceful protest against rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan.
She alleged that the CEC sided with the PTI and is not conducting a forensic audit of the votes as per the agreement. She said those who closed the whole country on the basis of four constituencies were not conducting the forensic audit of one constituency on the PPP’s demand.
She said it seemed as though the CEC was a PTI worker and warned that his attitude would lead to deterioration in the law and order in the area.
