HAVELI: At least five people were killed after clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Azad Kashmir’s Haveli district on Sunday. According to reports, the clashes broke out during an Eid Milan party where supporters of both political parties opened indiscriminate fire, leaving several people injured, including former minister Chaudhry Aziz. The injured were rushed to various hospitals. Funeral prayers for the deceased were offered on Sunday. According to the Haveli district commissioner, the PML-N has registered two cases against PPP workers, including Minister for Power Faisal Rathore. Qamar Zaman Kaira, senior leader of the PPP, expressed concern and sorrow over the incident and held the federal government responsible for it. In an interview, Kaira said that federal ministers were paying visits to AJK frequently. He said that Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid was explicitly telling lies. He said the footage of visits of federal ministers to AJK was available and there was a clear proof that they were disturbing peace in the region. He said the Haveli incident was the result of federal ministers’ statements. Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said the CEC should play a role to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in AJK. It was the responsibility of the CEC to ensure an atmosphere where elections could be held in a peaceful manner, without interference of the local administration, he said. Talking to the media along with Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Asif Kirmani after their visit to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences where they enquired after the health of PML-N candidate Aziz, Rashid said the PPP had started violent politics prior to elections.
