Shahbaz-led govt all set to rig Gujrat by-polls’

Shahbaz-led govt all set to rig Gujrat by-polls’

LAHORE: The Punjab government, at the behest of the chief minister, has set the stage for ‘massive rigging’ in the Gujrat by-elections and the Election Commission (EC) of Pakistan is also partially involved in the manipulation, Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Zaheeruddin said on Sunday. Addressing a press conference, Zaheer – who is also the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid general secretary – said the EC at one hand had imposed restrictions on transfers and postings, while it had kept its’ ‘eyes closed’ to the planned rigging at the other. He said the Punjab government had taken over the powers of the Gujrat district administration where local police had been ordered ‘not to perform’ its duties. Zaheer said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered the Sialkot and Gujranwala police to be deputed in Gujrat in order to facilitate the government in rigging the by-polls. staff report