Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said anyone alleging rigging in the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections should support their claims with credible evidence instead of making baseless accusations.
Talking to media persons outside a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, Talal said the people of AJK had voted on the basis of the development and governance they had witnessed in Punjab and Islamabad.
He urged Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to show political maturity and accept the public’s verdict.
Responding to a question regarding reports by international media that restrictions had been imposed on journalists covering AJK, the minister rejected the claim, saying no ban had been enforced.
Talal said governments around the world require journalists to comply with official security protocols, adding that authorities must ensure no one attempts to enter sensitive areas under the guise of being a journalist.
Referring to the recent Pakistan-India conflict, he noted that Pakistan had facilitated visits by foreign journalists to Azad Kashmir, demonstrating its commitment to transparency.
The minister also criticised the BBC, alleging that its reporting on the AJK issue lacked proper verification.
He said the broadcaster should have confirmed the facts before publishing its reports.
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