GILGIT: Election campaign across Gilgit-Baltistan is in full swing as polls draw nearer and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz and Federal Minister Murad Saeed have continued to address rallies in different parts of the region.

The PPP and PML-N leaders criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan in their speeches while the minister and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Zulfi Bukhari defended him and held responsible the previous governments of PML-N and PPP responsible for misery of local people.

Addressing a public meeting in Gupis, Maryam Nawaz said that attempts were being made to steal votes. “People should get rid of the worst rulers. This government has committed injustice with GB people,” she alleged.

She said that GB people would not accept the results if elections were rigged. She said that PML-N after formation government would award provincial status to GB.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Imran Khan took U-turns and went back on all his promises. “He will do this again,” he said while addressing three corner meetings at different places in Nagar.

He said that Imran Khan would withdraw the subsidy on food items as he had already reduced the quota of wheat for GB and wanted to increase taxes in GB.

“Imran Khan has terminated hundreds of employees of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation but we will reinstate them when we come into power,” said the PPP leader.

He said that Imran Khan and his ministers started using foul language against women when they realised that they were losing the elections. He said that efforts were being made to rig the elections but PPP would not allow it.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Zulfi Bukhari reached Skardu to run election campaigns for PTI candidates.

Talking to journalists at airport, he said that PTI would form government in GB. He rejected the allegations about pre-poll rigging and said that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Maryam Nawaz feared defeat.

Addressing a public meeting in Khaplu area of Ghanche, Federal Minister Murad Saeed said that government would provide all constitutional rights to GB people.

“Government approved Rs66 million for the people affected by Attabad lake. Prime minister has announced 100 per cent free medical facilities for GB and AJK people. Gilgit-Chitral road and economic zone are being constructed here,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2020