MUZAFFARABAD: In an unusual move, the chief secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) issued a ‘clarification’ on Saturday in response to allegations levelled by the regional chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) about rigging in the recently held AJK elections.

“I strongly contradict and regret the irresponsible statement of Barrister Sultan Mahmood that the chief secretary and inspector general (IG) played a key role in stealing the (July 21) elections,” Chief Secretary Sikandar Sultan Raja said.

On Friday, Mr Mahmood had alleged among other things that the chief secretary and the IG, who had been appointed by the Centre, had played a key role in “stealing the elections”.

The chief secretary and the IG are among five key officials who are posted in AJK by the federal government and are commonly referred to as “lent officers”.

Mr Mahmood had not produced any evidence to substantiate his allegations, the chief secretary said. “The factual position is that the elections were the most transparent, free, fair and peaceful polls in the history of AJK. This fact has been accepted by the media and leadership of all political parties, including the central leadership of the PTI.”

He claimed that he had remained in contact with the leaders of all contesting parties, including the PTI, and none of them had expressed any reservations about the arrangements before the polls.

“I spoke to Mr Mahmood a day before the elections and asked him if he has any complaint, but he showed confidence in the administration,” he said.

Mr Raja reminded the PTI leader that under the constitutional arrangements the chief secretary and the IG were posted by the federal government.

“He should realise that on the demand of all leaders, including Mr Sultan, services of the army were requisitioned and it played an exemplary role in the holding of free and fair elections,” the chief secretary said.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2016