Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Wednesday, urged PML-N to stop politics on Kashmir and accept the mandate given by people of Azad Kashmir. While reacting to the allegations leveled by PML-N regarding alleged rigging in AJK polls, she said that masses have rejected those who were dreaming of Kashmiris' divide.
"So-called political parties should abandon the policy of 'Chor Machaye Shor" and should recognise the historical victory of the PPP," she said this while talking to journalists here on Wednesday. She said that people of Kashmir understand that only PPP led-government could effectively fight the case of Kashmir at all fora, adding that people of Kashmir have proved in the recent elections that they are with PPP by rejecting other parties in the polls. "Masses of AJK have given their clear verdict against those who are bending on damaging the very cause of Kashmir," she said, pointing finger at PML-N.
PML-N must accept the mandate given by people of Kashmir and refrain from propaganda against free and fair elections. Talking about Lahore incident where AJK elections were postponed after riots, she alleged PML-N has broken all records of previous rigging.
"Why Punjab government had deputed 3,000 police personnel in polling stations in Kashmir," she posed a question. While reacting to the charges levelled against the federal government by different political parties, she said that AJK Election Commission is autonomous and independent body, which was working under the supervision of AJK Prime Minister, adding the federal government has nothing to do with the affairs of AJK Election Commission. Anyhow, she acceded that Election Commission of Pakistan had only extended helping hand to AJK government on its request on the constituencies of refugees in Pakistan. She alleged that Punjab government has entered fake names in voters' lists.
"Some people were claiming that popularity graph of PPP and its leadership is decreasing, but Kashmir elections speak otherwise," she added. Responding to a query, she said that leadership of PML-N has old tradition of rejecting every thing. She said that her Party would continue the policy of reconciliation even in Kashmir, adding PPP will try its level best to convince MQM to rejoin the government.
Earlier, addressing a conference, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting renewed the pledge of the government to continue war against terrorism and extremism. She called upon all schools of thought to forge unity among their ranks to root out the menace of extremism and terrorism. She said that Pakistan has a very obvious policy on terrorism and extremism, adding it has rendered unmatched sacrifices in the ongoing war against terrorism.
She said those who were killing innocent people in the name of Islam have no connection with Islam. She said that Islam teaches peace, love, harmony, brotherhood, adding it does not allow any one to kill someone in the name of Islam. She further said Islam is a complete code of life, regretting that unfortunately Muslims have been divided in different groups.