ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is certain to secure victory in the general elections scheduled to be held in Gilgit-Baltistan on June 7. He stated that, in practical terms, PTI has already won the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
He said that, unlike other political parties, obstacles created in PTI’s election campaign clearly indicate that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have already delivered their verdict in favor of Imran Khan before the elections.
While addressing a press conference at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, the Provincial Minister said that the reality is that the fear of Imran Khan is clearly evident among other political parties in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
Expressing concern over what he described as discriminatory treatment against PTI during the election campaign, he said that PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar Khan was arrested and expelled from the province, while airport traffic was blocked to prevent Asad Qaiser from proceeding. In addition, PTI Central Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Intizar Panjutha were also prevented from participating in the election campaign. The Provincial Information Minister stated that the party with which PTI had formed an electoral alliance was, unfortunately, deprived even of its election symbol, while PTI candidates were allotted different election symbols. He further said that despite being in prison, PTI founder Imran Khan continues to dominate the political thinking of rival parties.
Shafi Jan said that the party is formulating a comprehensive strategy to safeguard its votes and public mandate and remains in constant contact with all candidates. He added that complete protection of Form 45 would be ensured this time and that the electoral irregularities faced by PTI in the February 8 elections would not be allowed to recur.
Shafi Jan said that on February 8, PTI’s public mandate was taken away and that despite having a clear majority in the federation and Punjab, the party was deprived of its right to form government through what he termed “Form 47.” He added that PTI is also not being provided a level playing field in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He concluded by saying that despite all these tactics, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will achieve a clean sweep in Gilgit-Baltistan and form its government. Commenting on the country’s overall situation, he said that due to the poor policies of what he termed the “Form 47 rulers,” every sector of the country is facing decline.
