KARACHI, July 22: Sindh National Front leader Amir Bukhsh Bhutto has accused pro-government candidates of having resorted to rigging in a bid to ensure their victory in the forthcoming local bodies polls. In a statement issued here on Friday, he pointed out that the government had already set the process of pre-poll rigging in motion in support of its nominated candidates by creating new tehsils and districts. He deplored that even police had been mobilized to suppress the opponents.

In this context, Mr Bhutto referred to the case of Abdullah Gopang who, he alleged, had been implicated in false cases and arrested by Naudero police. Relatives of one, Ejaz Shah, who had reportedly been killed by police, were detained by police, he indicated.

The SNF leader condemned police who, he alleged, would always arrest those approaching them to seek justice and never arrest those involved in crime.

He alleged that one, Rafiq Ahmad Dal, had been arrested by Amrote police in Shikarpur after implicating him in a false murder case only because he had been opposing the local pro-government MPA.