RK Singh calls Pak elections rigged, Ahir expresses hope

Union Minister RK Singh, who also served as the Home Secretary between 2011 and 2013, on Thursday termed the Pakistan elections as rigged.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "The policy is decided by the military there (in Pakistan) and they will do it now as well. The only difference is - those who tried to take an independent stand against the military, they used to remove that person and install another one."

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan looks set to become Pakistan's next prime minister with observers claiming the elections were "blatantly" rigged by military in favour of Khan.

"The military has audited the election, which is their own creation," Singh said, adding that "You ensured that Nawaz Sharif and his daughter land in jail and do not get a chance to campaign. They were not granted bail as well. You also ensured that disturbances were created wherever (Pakistan People's Party chairman) Bilawal Bhutto travelled for his meetings."

With nearly 22% of the vote counted, Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has so far been able to secure more than 113 of the 272 seats in the National Assembly.

Elections in Pakistan and their outcome are being keenly observed in India as well.

Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir expressed hope that India would strive to maintain good and cordial relations with the new government in Pakistan.

Ahir told ANI, "Whosoever government would be formed (in Pakistan), we will maintain good relations with them. I express my best wishes to the new government that they maintain peace there. Neighbourly relations should be good. We have high hopes."

He stated that the people of Pakistan did not help 26/11 attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed to win in the general elections and rejected terrorism.

Ahir further said, "It is a good thing that the people of Pakistan rejected a ferocious terrorist like Hafiz Saeed. I hope that Pakistan will now reject terrorism and finish their old habits."

Pakistan went to polls on Wednesday and the counting of votes began soon thereafter in the evening.