Govt accused of pre-poll rigging

Published March 14, 2002

ISLAMABAD, March 13: Leaders of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Wednesday met 13 envoys from the member states of the European Union and expressed their reservations about the electoral and constitutional reforms being introduced by the government.

The ARD leaders held a two-hour-long meeting with the ambassadors at the residence of the Spanish envoy and apprised them of ARD’s stand on different issues, including the process of accountability being carried out by the government. A source said the politicians had also expressed their reservations about the government’s claim to hold free, fair and impartial elections.

They alleged that the government had already resorted to “pre-poll rigging” by projecting some favourite politicians and vilifying those, who were against it.

The ARD leaders also met the US political counsellor, Chat Blakeman, and apprised him of their reservations about the constitutional reforms.

The ARD delegation included veteran politician Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, Pakistan People’s Party Vice Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Pakistan Muslim League’s (PML-N) Senior Vice President Zafar Ali Shah.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...