DERA ISMAIL KHAN/KARAK: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl activists on Tuesday held a protest demonstration here against alleged rigging during the re-polling for the seat of Dera Ismail Khan city mayor.

JUI-F leader Maulana Obaid-ur-Rehman led the protesters, who staged a sit-in at the GPO Chowk, carrying placards and banners.

Addressing the protesters, the party leaders accused the district administration and the election commission of rigging the polls.

On the occasion, Mr Obaid-ur-Rehman said they were given Form-17 of 173 polling stations, but results of more polling stations were given on plain paper. He demanded that the election commission hold the elections afresh.

Meanwhile, candidates contesting the Takht-i-Nusrati tehsil mayor seat along with their supporters blocked the Indus Highway in Karak against alleged rigging in the re-polling.

The protesters led by former provincial minister Malik Qasim Khan Khattak marched to the Indus Highway, and blocked it at the Amberi Kallay Chowk.

The protesters alleged Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had directly interfered in the election process and forced the district administration to ensure that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidates won the three tehsil mayors’ slots in Karak district.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2022