The unofficial results of the Gilgit-Baltistan Election 2020 showed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has won 9 seats. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) managed to win 4 seats, reported local media. As per the unofficial results received thus far, independent candidates have succeeded to win 7 seats, while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which had won the elections in 2015, failed to attract people and could only win 2 seats.
GB Elections: PTI takes lead in Gilgit-Baltistan pic.twitter.com/pzmmY528Qo
— Samson Masih (@SamsonM34475947) November 16, 2020
The election was particularly important for the PML-N since it was in power in the province since 2015. More importantly, Maryam Nawaz, PML-N’s vice-President, went with a controversial anti-army narrative to seek mass support. The election results have proven that the people of GB have completely rejected Nawaz’s narrative, opine political commentators.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that the GB rejects PML-N’s narrative against state institutions. Fawad Chaudhry, in a tweet, said that the public of Gilgit-Baltistan has rejected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and company.
The people of GB has“ REJECTED” Nawaz & Mariyam’s Narrative against state / institutions. People of GB have spoken and spoken for Pakistan. A big NO to PMLN and now PMLn & Co (ووٹ کو عزت دو) https://t.co/hoSBU0JPZv
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 15, 2020
Even before the elections were held, PML-N apparently had an idea about its position. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Secretary-General of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has alleged the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of rigging the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. The PML-N told Shahzeb Khanzada, a prominent Pakistani anchorperson, on GEO News that “we see PTI is making all efforts to rig this election”. “If the election is rigged, it will ultimately help India equate its barbaric steps in the occupied Kashmir with that of what happens in GB,” he added.
Read More: We demand free and fair elections in GB: Bilawal Bhutto
GVS has reliably learnt that the PML-n is now deliberating on running a massive media campaign to raise doubts about the authenticity of the election results. In this regard, learnt GVS, there may be some rallies in GB against the federal government in the coming days.
Nawaz’s controversial narrative
Nawaz Sharif blamed the COAS and DG ISI for ousting him through ‘controlling and dictating the courts’. It was not for the first time that Nawaz slammed the security establishment for ‘political engineering’. On September 20, he claimed that then DG ISI approached him and asked him to step-down.
However, former DG ISI, retired Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam, has said he never asked for the resignation of former premier and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in 2014. “I never sent anyone to convey any such message to [Nawaz], this is absolutely wrong,” he said while speaking to The News.
Nawaz’s received mixed reactions. Prominent anchorperson Rauf Klasra revealed that “I spoke with some senior PML-N leaders and they are shocked to watch Nawaz vilifying the army”. He also that the senior leadership of the party now thinks that “we may not be able to do politics in this situation”.
There is also another view that if the current army chief was behind Nawaz’s removal as the prime minister then why did his party vote to grant an extension to the same person? Does it imply that a deal was underway but some unexpected circumstances led Nawaz to vilify the establishment?
PML-N leaders quit the party?
Recently, The News reported that Abdul Qadir Baloch, PML-N’s President from Balochistan, has confessed to have quitted the party because of the senior leadership’s narrative. “I am a product of the Army and cannot stand by the narrative of disobedience since it would be extremely injurious to the country. I have taken the decision of parting ways with heavy heart,” said the retired General who commanded North Command as Corps Commander in Quetta and had also been governor of Balochistan.
Meanwhile, two PML-N MPAs Nishat Daha and Younas Ansari have said that their heads hang in shame because of MNA Ayaz Sadiq’s controversial statement. Speaking at a press conference in Multan, PML-N MPA Nishat Daha said, “I am deeply saddened by the statement made by Ayaz Sadiq, my head hangs in shame on the statement of the former speaker.”
Read More: Foreign diplomats visiting GB blown away by its natural beauty
He said that if the leadership wants to please India, it should move there. He further said that today, as a PML-N member, he is ashamed. “The entire nation was hurt by the statements of Nawaz Sharif and Ayaz Sadiq, what they are doing is not good for the country,” he added. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Younas Ansari said, “Our family has been in politics for 35 years but I am ashamed at what is happening in the National Assembly. Ayaz Sadiq should be remorseful at his statement.”
Maryam criticized PML-N?
Maryam Nawaz went to GB and run a campaign for her party. She was seen blaming the incumbent government for the sugar and wheat crisis, Maryam recalled the premier’s promise of 10 million jobs. “Has any youth in Skardu found employment? Did he fulfill his promise to provide housing?”
Addressing PM Imran, Maryam said: “you promised “tabdeeli” [change] in nine days. Your promises are fake.”
However, analysts are of the view that Maryam perhaps forget to recall that her party was in the government in GB for past five years. She was, therefore, criticizing her own party for not adequately addressing the problems of the people of GB.
Notably, two surveys conducted by Gallup Pakistan and Pulse Consultant have already shown that the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan will be very closely contested between the PTI and PPP. Both surveys put PTI ahead of the PPP, while the PML-N was placed at the third position.
The surveys shown that PM Imran Khan was the most popular leader in GB followed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. Around 30 percent of voters believe elections will be transparent and free of rigging.
In Gallup Pakistan's survey, respondents were asked which political party they would vote for on 15th Nov (the Election Day). In response, 27 percent said they would vote for PTI, 24 percent said PPP, and 14 percent said PML-Nhttps://t.co/GHlDodaHTB#GilgitBaltistan
— Gallup Pakistan (@GallupPak) November 11, 2020
The respondents were asked which political party they would vote for on 15th Nov (the Election Day). In response, 27 percent of Gallup respondents said they would vote for PTI, 24 percent said PPP, and 14 percent said PML-N.
Similarly, 35 percent of Pulse Consultant respondents said they would vote for PTI, 26 percent said PPP and 14 percent said PML-N. Gallup survey shows there is a gap of only 3 percent between the PTI and PPP as the first choice of voters. In Pulse survey, this gap is 9 percent. But the trend is the same – PTI is the first choice, PPP second and PML-N third.
Maryam Nawaz to create unrest after a crushing defeat?
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s special assistant on information, has revealed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) vice-President Maryam Nawaz is likely to create unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan after losing elections. “We have some reports suggesting Maryam’s plan to create unrest in the region after facing a crushing defeat,” Dr. Awan told media persons.
However, it is yet to be seen what policy does the PML-N formally announce after yesterday’s crushing defeat.