By-Polls: Tensions And Firing In Sialkot Leave 2 Dead, 7 Injured

In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, by-elections were held in four constituencies of the National and Provincial Assemblies. However, tensions and firing in Sialkot left two dead and seven others injured.

Gunmen opened fire at the Goindke polling station in Daska, area of ​​Sialkot, killing two activists belonging to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

A heavy contingent of police was deployed in the area, while eyewitnesses said there was a open display of weapons in the area and no rule of law was seen anywhere.

Ruling party PTI and PML-N have blamed each other for firing in the NA-75 Sialkot by-election.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz said on Twitter: Despite the bullying and rigging, the courage and determination with which you have voted, now guard your vote with the same courage and bravery and protect it.

She said that the workers should not only stay at the polling stations during the counting of votes and delivery of ballot boxes but also during the delivery of ballot papers to the offices of the Returning Officers Protect your vote.

یہ ووٹ چور حکومت آپ کا ووٹ چوری کرنے کا ہر حربہ استعمال کرے گی۔ مسلم لیگ ن کی جیت ان کے لئے موت سے بد تر ہے۔ ان چوروں کو آپ نے ہر حال میں روکنا ہے اور ان پر کڑی نظر رکھنی ہے۔ عوام نے الحمدُللّہ شیر کے حق میں فیصلہ سنا دیا ہے اب اس فیصلے کی حفاظت باقی ہے

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 19, 2021

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کارکنان ووٹوں کی گنتی اور بیلٹ باکس کی ترسیل کے دوران نہ صرف پولنگ سٹیشنز پہ رہیں بلکہ بیلٹ پیپرز کی ترسیل کے دوران بھی ریٹرننگ افسرز کے دفاتر تک پہرہ دیں اور جب تک تمام فارمز 45 اور فائنل رزلٹ نہیں مل جاتا برائے مہربانی اپنے ووٹ کی حفاظت کریں۔

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 19, 2021

Talking to media in Islamabad, PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb said, “The Punjab government has failed to maintain law and order during the elections.”

Maryam Aurangzeb said that we have made two requests to the Chairman of the Election Commission to extend the voting time as an attempt has been made to create such conditions since morning.

She said that the Chief Election Commissioner has directed the Provincial Election Commissioner before us that polling will not be closed till every last citizen who has come to vote, whether the voter is inside or outside the limits, casts his vote.

On the other hand, PTI leader Usman Dar said in his statement on Twitter that during the NA-75 Sialkot by-election, the PML-N members were doing hooliganism at the polling stations. The Election Commission should immediately take notice and not only take disciplinary action but also issue a warning to the members of the Assembly and order them to refrain from any kind of disturbance.

He said that Rana Sanaullah along with armed hoodlums has reached Sialkot to repeat the history of the Model Town tragedy. So far 7 people have been seriously injured and 1 worker has been martyred due to firing. An FIR will be registered against Rana Sanaullah and armed gangsters.

Usman Dar said, “I appeal to the workers to remain calm and not lose patience. We will fight this oppression and barbarism resolutely. We should discourage the politics of anarchy and bullying with high spirits.”

“I pay tribute to all the workers for their enthusiasm, hard work and their run for the party,” he added.

این اے 75 سیالکوٹ کے ضمنی انتخاب کے دوران لیگی ارکان قومی و صوبائی اسمبلی یونین کونسلز کے پولنگ اسٹیشنز پر دندناتے پھر رہے ہیں! الیکشن کمیشن فوری طور پر نوٹس لے کر نہ صرف ضابطے کی کاروائی کرے بلکہ ارکان اسمبلی کو وارننگ جاری کرتے ہوئے کسی بھی قسم کی گڑبڑ سے باز رہنے کا حکم دے!

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— Usman Dar (@UdarOfficial) February 19, 2021

رانا ثناءاللہ مسلح غنڈوں کے ہمراہ سیالکوٹ میں سانحہ ماڈل ٹاؤن کی تاریخ رقم کرنے پہنچا ہوا ہے! اب تک گولیاں لگنے سے 7 افراد شدید زخمی جبکہ 1 کارکن شہید ہو چکا ہے! ڈسکہ میں پر امن انتخابی عمل کے دوران کی گئی اس دہشت گردی کی FIR رانا ثنااللہ اور مسلح غنڈوں کے خلاف درج کروائیں گے!

— Usman Dar (@UdarOfficial) February 19, 2021

کارکنان سے اپیل کرتا ہوں کہ پر امن رہیں اور صبر کا دامن ہاتھ سے نہ چھوڑیں، اس ظلم اور بربریت کا مقابلہ ڈٹ کر کریں گے! انتشار اور غنڈہ گردی کی سیاست بلند حوصلے اور جرات سے ہار رہی ہے! میں تمام کارکنان کو جوش جذبے، انتھک محنت اور پارٹی کیلئے انکی بھاگ دوڑ پر خراج تحسین پیش کرتا ہوں pic.twitter.com/5vkFRXFngG

— Usman Dar (@UdarOfficial) February 19, 2021