Pakistan election ‘rigging’: Leaders draw parallels with 1987 Assembly poll

Naseer Ganai

Srinagar, February 10

Pakistan’s electoral process is playing out on the political front in the Kashmir Valley.

The online sphere has become a battleground of competing narratives between the National Conference and other parties with supporters from both camps engaging in drawing parallels between alleged electoral rigging in Pakistan and the widespread rigging witnessed during the 1987 elections in Kashmir.

While the poll in the neighbouring country has invoked interest in the Valley, it is young politicians who are openly talking about it. Elders are quiet about it and are conveying that they have no interest in the politics of Pakistan.

“Sad to see victory snatched from Imran Khan and elections rigged in Pakistan. For the people of Kashmir, it is reminiscent of the 1987 election followed by mass electoral fraud. Uncanny similarities between the crackdown on Jamaat leaders then and PTI now,” tweeted Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti. She is also a media advisor to Mehbooba.

“People of J&K continue paying a price with their lives because of the violence triggered by the rigged 1987 elections. Pakistan army should take a leaf from our blood-soaked history to understand the consequences of manipulating popular mandate,” Iltija said.

However, National Conference spokeswoman Ifra Jan talked about the issue differently. “It’s disheartening to witness Imran Khan’s election loss, evoking memories of decades-long struggles against proxy parties targeting JKNC’s mandate,” she said. She said the echoes of 1989, when then Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed appointed Jagmohan as Governor, plunging J&K into turmoil, feel hauntingly familiar.

“In 1989, the entire Cabinet, led by then CM Dr Abdullah, resigned because none of us wanted on our hands what was coming if Jagmohan was appointed Governor. Yet, the HM was adamant,” Ifra wrote.

Others were quick to jump in. “Bewildering to see NC lamenting the election rigging in Pakistan. The audacity! The shamelessness! A thief condemning a robbery by another thief! Farooq Abdullah 1987 Rs Nawaz Sharif 2024,” wrote former Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu.

Mattu previously served as a media adviser to Abdullah and NC spokesman before switching to Altaf Bukhari’s Apni Party.