July 25, 2006	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 28, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, July 24: Opposition parties in the AJK legislative assembly on Monday accused the Centre of rigging and interference in the recently held elections and refused to take oath of office in protest.

“Today is the blackest day in the AJK politics. Election for the slots of prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker were held today in the AJK assembly. With pre- and post-polls rigging and open interference by the Centre, the Muslim Conference has been enabled to emerge as the biggest party to form government. We, the opposition, have therefore refused to take oath,” the opposition leaders said at a joint press conference.

Barrister Sultan Mehmood of the People’s Muslim League and Khalid Ibrahim of the AJK People’s Party said they were also in contact with the opposition parties in Pakistan and would jointly devise their strategy.

They alleged that candidates for Kashmir assembly seats in Pakistan were chosen by PML president Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain. “He distributed the tickets and announced open support to the MC candidates,” they added.

They also accused the army of openly interfering in the polls.

“We respect the army but its involvement in such activities can damage its role of providing security and freedom struggle in Kashmir,” said Barrister Sultan Mehmood.

“What kind of freedom and right of self-determination the army is promising to the Kashmiris. Its interference in the AJK politics at a time when the Kashmir issue is at a turning point has raised eyebrows about its intentions,” he added.

The AJK opposition leaders said the rigging in AJK elections would have great impact on the forthcoming general elections in Pakistan.

The AJK PPP president, Khalid Ibrahim, said despite pre-poll rigging and army interference, the MC had failed to win a simple majority.

But to give it a majority, legislators were forced to support the MC to raise its strength, he alleged.