History Recurrence Spotted in GB Election as PTI Leads
Carping opposition leaders are ruling out history of governments' formations in the country's northern region
WEB DESK: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) poll has ended up with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and independent candidates emerging as winners in the election can be termed as ‘history recurrence’.
However, the cry foul of the parties in opposition alliance of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) including Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and others started right after the results poured in.
PTI is currently leading with eight seats followed by independent candidates with seven seats whereas some 17 seats are needed to form the third government in GB.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto accused of engineered rigging in polls and ‘overnight’ changes in results.
My election has been stolen. I will be joining the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in their protest shortly.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) November 16, 2020
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz made similar claims and accused of state machinery’s usage by “selectors” to win the election.
گلگت بلتستان میں پی ٹی آئی کا نہ پہلے کوئی وجود تھا نہ اب ہے۔اسکو بھیک میں ملنے والی چند سیٹیں دھونس، دھاندلی، مسلم لیگ ن سےتوڑےگئے امیدواروں اور سلیکٹرز کی مرہون منت ہیں۔وفاق میں موجود حکمران جماعت کوپہلی بار یہاں ایسی شکست فاش ہوئی ہے۔ یہ شکست آنے والے دنوں کی کہانی سنارہی ہے
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) November 16, 2020
گلگت بلتستان کے بہادر لوگو ! اس دھاندلی سے ہمت نہیں ہارنا۔ ریت کی یہ دیوار گرنے والی ہے۔ کٹھ پتلی کا کھیل ختم ہونے کو ہے۔ انشاء اللّہ !
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) November 16, 2020
ALSO READ
Gilgit-Baltistan Gets Provisional Provincial Status After 73 Years
However, carping opposition leaders are ruling out history of previous GB governments and overlooking history recurrence factor.
Traditionally, it had been a practice that the people of GB choose to go with the party that is in power in the federation.
The previous two governments formed in the region were formed by PPP and PML-N respectively, both were in power in the center at the time of winning the GB election.
Further, PTI is poised to form the government in the country’s northern region as pre-poll surveys had revealed.
Around 35% and 27% of respondents in the surveys conducted by Gallup Pakistan and Pulse Consultants respectively before the election said that they would vote for PTI.
