SIALKOT – Two political workers were killed while several others sustained injuries as clashes erupted between rival groups amid by-polls in NA-75 Sialkot-IV Daska constituency on Friday.
Besides NA-75, by-elections were also held PP-51 Gujranwala-I, NA-45 Kurram-I and PK-63 Nowshera seats, which fell vacant due to the death of the lawmakers.
Firing incidents were reported at three polling stations of the constituency but it claimed two lives in Gondka village.
One of the deceased has been identified as PTI worker named Majid while the other, Zeeshan, belonged to the PML-N.
A heavy contingent of police officials and Rangers personnel was reached the spot to control the situation. Security officials also arrested the culprits.
The Punjab IGP taking notice of the incident had sought a report from the Gujranwala RPO.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also took notice of the incident vowing culprits will face full weight of law.
Amid the violent situation, leaders of PTI and PML-N hurled accusations against each other.
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, while talking to media in Islamabad, claimed that the fire opened by a guard of the PTI candidate killed two voters.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif also took to Twitter, claiming that polling process had been slowed down in the constituency amid signs of PML-N’s victory.
Since it was clear that PMLN was winning & with a huge margin, they slowed down the polling process hence long queues of N voters outside polling stations. We have requested the ECP to extend the polling time.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 19, 2021
She wrote, “Since it was clear that PMLN was winning & with a huge margin, they slowed down the polling process hence long queues of N voters outside polling stations. We have requested the ECP to extend the polling time”.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan countering the allegations of Aurangzeb said that the fire was opened by the guard of PML-N’s candidate.
