PML-N backs PPP to prevent horse-trading in G-B: Rafique

LAHORE:

Former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has defended the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) decision to support the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in forming the government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), saying the party voluntarily recognised the PPP as the single largest political force in the assembly and extended support to prevent horse-trading and political deal-making.

In a statement posted on social media, Rafique said the unofficial and provisional results of the G-B elections showed the PPP securing around 28 per cent of the vote and the PML-N about 22 per cent.

He said that according to the non-final results, the PPP won 10 seats while the PML-N secured six. He added that two independent candidates were also backed by the PML-N.

The PML-N leader said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was fully aware that the senior PML-N leadership had, within 72 hours of the election, independently contacted President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP leadership to acknowledge the PPP as the single largest party in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and signal support for government formation.

"The objective of the PML-N was to save GB from horse-trading and political bargaining," he said.

He maintained that despite this gesture, there was neither justification nor reason for accusations and a disrespectful attitude towards the PML-N from sections of the PPP leadership.

Referring to by-elections scheduled in some constituencies on June 15, he said responsibility for those polls rested entirely with local complainants and the election commission.

He noted that the results of one PML-N constituency had also been challenged.

He also slammed the PPP over political developments in Karachi, saying those who had used every available tactic to secure the local government in the city and later reneged on commitments made to the MQM under PML-N's guarantee could not taunt the PML-N over government formation in Lahore.

"We respect the PPP leadership a great deal, but respect cannot be one-way traffic," he said.