Govt gains zenith in rigging, opposition

The government had gained the highest point of rigging in the 3rd phase of the Local Government Elections, and the role of judiciary was agonising in this regard, but we would make every possible effort for seeking justice because we still believe in the dispensation of justice, said various provincial political leaders of the opposition, while addressing a joint Press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Friday.
MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique said if the Election Commission did not make the official candidates abide by its code of conduct, then “we will give free-hand to our workers. After the Lahore High Court decision, if oath was not taken by the Union Council Nazims, Naib Nazims and Councillors, then the whole process of the Local Government Elections will become illegal” he added.
MNA Pervaiz Malik stated that the oath was not taken from newly-elected representatives of the Local Government, so that they could be ‘handled’ till the last time. He sympathised with Nishter Town Nazim candidate Dr. Zahid Akram Nut, and maintained that justice should be done to him.
General-Secretary PML (N) Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri said because of the justice was not being dispensed, it was causing disrepute of the judiciary. “PML is giving advertisement spaces to ‘official’ candidates at cheaper rates, and Chief Minister Punjab and his team is providing facilities to the official candidates. The Punjab Government should not exceed the ambit of regulations because it will be held accountable for its steps,” he added.
Consensus candidate of the opposition’s Democrat Group for District Nazim MPA Rana Mashood Khan said the government’s rigging had reached its pinnacle for the third phase of Local Government Elections. “People are seeing the circumstances in which we are contesting the election. The judiciary’s role is depressing. However, we expect justice will be done, and we will move the Apex Court for this,” he added.
President Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Punjab) Admiral (R) Javed Iqbal maintained that the election campaign of the opposition was being adversely affected by the government rigging, but the PML (Q) would be defeated on October 6. Senior Vice-President Pakistan Peoples Party (Lahore) Zafar Masood Bhatti maintained that if the judiciary did not dispensed justice, then decisions would be made in the masses’ ‘court’. Nishter Town Nazim candidate Dr. Zahid Akram Nut, whose papers were rejected, said the judiciary was protecting the wrong steps of the government. “I don’t have a choice except moving the London High Court,” he added.