In the lead-up to the general elections, the Rawalpindi administration has initiated the refurbishment of footpaths and three major roads, a move contested by the PPP and the Jamaat-i-Islami, alleging it aims to favor PML-N candidates. The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) asserts these projects were approved in December 2023, just before the poll schedule announcement, with only the project name changed. Current renovation work on Rashid Minhas Road, Liaquat Road, and Asghar Mall Road, along with footpaths on Murree Road, has raised concerns about air pollution and potential difficulty accessing polling stations. Residents like Mohammad Akram express worry about the condition of Liaquat Road and the impact on reaching polling stations.
Concerns are growing among Rawalpindi residents regarding the timing of road renovations ahead of the February 8 polling day, particularly for accessing the Government Gordon College polling station, according to Anwar Chaudhry from College Road.
Ongoing repairs on Rashid Minhas, Liaquat Bagh, and Asghar Mall roads have raised suspicions of “pre-poll rigging” by the PPP and JI.
Shahzad Siddiqui of Gawalmandi questioned the rush in completing the renovations, speculating it might be an attempt to favor politicians from the former ruling party.
Amjad Chaudhry, Chief Municipal Officer of Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), stated that the ongoing projects are part of routine repair and maintenance work. He assured that road carpeting would be finished before polling day, citing weather-related delays.
PPP candidate for NA-55, Babar Jadoon, criticized the cantonment and city administrations for initiating new projects during the election campaign, allegedly favoring PML-N candidates. Complaints to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reportedly went unanswered.
JI spokesman Malik Azam claimed that the new roads were constructed after the election schedule announcement, branding it as pre-poll rigging. He criticized the caretaker government for inaugurating projects, asserting that the interim setup’s role should focus on daily affairs and supporting the ECP for fair elections.
Efforts to reach ECP spokesperson Nadeem Haider were unsuccessful. To locate your polling booth, send your NIC number (without spaces) to 8300 and check the ECP website for constituency candidates.