LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif has alleged that election code was violated and rules of transparency and impartiality were ridiculed in the elections for Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Sunday.

“The people will remember the way the election code was violated and transparency and impartiality were made irrelevant throughout the day,” he said in a statement after the election process was over.

Lauding the spirit of the party workers in the elections, he said the people in general and the workers in particular showed great courage and perseverance in spite of all difficulties.

“The spirit, enthusiasm and courage shown by the people and the workers throughout the day is commendable,” he said, adding “seeing your enthusiasm, there is no doubt that victory will be for the lion, God willing.”

He expressed his concerns at the deaths of innocent workers in a clash during AJK polls and offered his condolences to the families of the party workers who were killed in the election-related dispute.

Mr Sharif, who is also opposition leader in the National Assembly, has also expressed his grief and sorrow at themartyrdom of four Pakistan Army Quick Response Force personnel whose vehicle fell into a ravine at Lasva in Neelam valley in the AJK.

He prayed that Allah Almighty may elevate the ranks of the martyrs and grant patience to their families as well as speedily recover the three injured jawans and their jeep driver.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2021