LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz has said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to win a simple majority in the Gilgit Baltistan elections.
“There is no existence of the PTI in Gilgit-Baltistan, nor will there be. It managed to receive a few seats despite begging, bullying, and rigging with the help of turncoats,” she said in a statement.
Maryam said PTI failing to cement a clear majority in the northern region is a “shameful defeat” for the incumbent government. “This defeat is a telling sign of what the future has in store.”
She said the ruling party was unable to secure a majority despite using state machinery and resorting to the worst rigging with the help of turncoats, adding that the people of GB have no confidence in the PTI. She said the people of the region should not lose hope over the rigged elections.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also said the federal government had “stripped GB of its powers”. Comparing the GB polls to 2018 general elections, the PML-N leader said the election were rigged.
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The PTI is emerging as the single largest party in the hotly contested polls in Gilgit Baltistan and has secured nine seats, According to unofficial and unconfirmed results.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led PPP is second with three victories. The PML-N, JUI-F, and MWM have won one each while Independent candidates secured six. As many as 330 candidates, including four women, were vying for 23 general seats in the third legislative assembly of the northern region.
