JHANG: With PP-78 bypoll, to be held on Dec 1, drawing closer, the election campaigns have gained momentum in the provincial assembly constituency, amid serious allegations of pre-poll rigging being leveled by at least two parties, against the ruling PML-N candidate.

On Friday last, former prime minister and PPP senior vice-chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani visited Jhang to boost the campaign of his party candidate Sarfraz Rabbani.

In a press meeting, he alleged that the ruling party candidate with the support of district administration was involved in massive pre-poll rigging and violation of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission ofPakistan (ECP).

He alleged that huge development funds had been placed at the disposal of PML-N candidate Haji Azad Nasir Ansari, who, he said, was also flouting the ECP bar on expenses to be incurred on an election campaign.

Denying allegation against his party of playing `friendly opposition`, especially on Panama Leaks issue, Mr Gilani said he was facing as many as 27 cases filed against him by the present government, while late Makhdoom Amin Faheem was also implicated in as many cases, which, he said, showed how `friendly` PPP had been to the government.

`We criticise the government where it is necessary, he added.

Similarly, the leadership of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (ASWJ), supporting inde-pendent candidate Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi, younger son of slain leader of defunct Sipah Sihaba Pakistan (SSP), staged a sit-in (Dharna) at Ayub Chowk here on Saturday against the alleged pre-poll rigging in favour of PML-N candidate.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Jhangvi accused the government of harassment of his main supporters in the constituency.

He alleged that two of his main activists, Liaqat Qayamat and Khalid Junejo, had been arrested, while raids were being conducted on the houses of his staunch supporters and voters to bar them from participating effectively in his campaign.

He said such tactics were worst form of pre-poll rigging aimed at dealing a severe blow to his electoral prospectus. He said the gov-ernment would not be allowed to deprive him of his mandate.

The sit-in was called off late on Sunday, reportedly following assurances by police and administration that the arrested activists would be released during the next 72 hours and that there would be no further action against Mr Jhangvi`s supporters.

Meanwhile, a district police`s security branch of ficial, seeking anonymity dispelled the impression being created by certain section of social media that Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi was nominated in criminal/ sectarian cases.

He said Mr Jhangvi was arrested only on a couple of occasions under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), which was only a preventive measure and had no criminal record with the police.