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ISLAMABAD: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan has dismissed the criticism over Prime Minister Imran Khan for addressing a public gathering in the region ahead of elections.
“It was not a political gathering,” Raja Shahbaz said, while talking to a private news channel today (Monday). However, he maintained that actions would be taken against violation of election rules.
The Prime Minister faced severe criticism from opposition parties for addressing a rally on Sunday, where he announced to grant provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan. He was accompanied by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur.
The premier didn’t announce any development package for the region owing to the Election Commission’s restriction due to the upcoming elections. However, he assured the people of the region his government would take firm steps to uplift backward areas, including GB, Balochistan.
Earlier, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman criticized the Prime Minister for addressing an alleged political rally in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying that the premier had violated the code of conduct.
In a statement, the PPP Senator said, “The Prime Minister and federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur are running a political campaign illegally in the region, which is a clear violation of the code of conduct of the elections and a pre-polling rigging.”
