Arson and violence in the capital Gilgit have further complicated the situation in the recently held elections in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan, amid ongoing peaceful protests against alleged rigging.
The administration has blamed the opposition parties for this incident of arson and violence, while the opposition leaders have expressed their displeasure. Protests and violence took place in Gilgit on Monday against alleged rigging in the elections.
The results of the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan have not been accepted by the country’s two main opposition parties, the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muslim League-Nawaz, and the government has been accused of rigging the Election Commission
Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has won the most seats in these elections, while independent candidates who have won the elections in most of the seats have also announced to join the ruling party.
Faizullah Farooq, the spokesman of the caretaker government of Gilgit-Baltistan, alleged that PPP’s losing candidates and activists brokered violence and sabotage there when Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan was listening to complaints in Gilgit, triggering an uproar. done.
According to the spokesperson, after the uproar, security agencies took action and restored the law and order.
According to Abdul Rahman Bukhari, a journalist present in Gilgit, angry protesters blocked the road near Chinar Bagh and clashed between police and protesters.
He said that the police released tear gas and opened fire in the air.
He said that after the police action, riots broke out in the city. The protesters set fire to the Forest Department’s office and four vehicles, including a fire brigade vehicle.
The protesters were in groups on the streets of Gilgit until the final report and police and security agencies were trying to improve the situation.
According to locals, the constituency number two of Gilgit city is almost closed. There is a traffic jam on the roads and tires have been set on fire at various places. There have also been reports of protests in Skardu, Baltistan.
