In a significant development, the two main coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), publicly confronted each other on Monday over the results of the second phase of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The PML-N dismissed PPP’s allegations of rigging, asserting their victory was legitimate.
Unofficial and provisional outcomes indicated that the PML-N secured a simple majority in the AJK Legislative Assembly. However, the PPP accused the election process of widespread irregularities. Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar rejected these claims, stating that opponents were unwilling to accept the PML-N’s success.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Tarar challenged those making fraud accusations to provide evidence, emphasizing that baseless claims should not be entertained. He further warned that undermining the credibility of the AJK elections could also cast doubts on the legitimacy of Pakistan’s upcoming 2024 general election, an event after which the PPP joined the PML-N-led coalition government at the federal level.
Tarar underscored that political disagreements should be handled with tolerance and responsibility, highlighting that voters supported the PML-N based on its governance and development achievements.
Meanwhile, Sindh Senior Minister and PPP leader Sharjeel Inam Memon accused the PML-N of repeating alleged electoral manipulation similar to that witnessed during Pakistan’s general elections on February 8, 2024. Speaking in Karachi, Memon claimed that the federal and Punjab governments collaborated to thwart PPP candidates in AJK.
Memon added that the PPP had lodged complaints with the Election Commission concerning irregularities in parts of Mirpur Division, but no remedial action had been taken. He affirmed that the party would pursue the matter through legal and constitutional channels, avoiding hostile rhetoric or confrontations.
Tarar responded by reiterating that the PML-N had consistently prioritized AJK’s development, insisting the election outcome genuinely reflected the people’s will. He also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had congratulated the PPP on its success in the recent Gilgit-Baltistan elections, emphasizing that such democratic courtesies should be mutual.
This public dispute highlights increasing tensions within Pakistan’s ruling coalition, as its two largest parties continue to compete intensely in provincial and regional elections despite sharing power at the federal level.
unofficial results, the PML-N won 13 of the 20 constituencies contested in the second phase, while the PPP secured five seats. Results from one constituency, LA-27 Muzaffarabad, remain pending due to polling being postponed until August 4 because heavy rains and landslides obstructed election staff and materials from reaching polling stations.
The second phase included 21 constituencies: nine in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies. Polling hours were extended by one hour in eight Muzaffarabad constituencies to accommodate weather-related disruptions.
The election is being conducted in three phases, with the first phase held in Mirpur Division on July 27 and the third phase scheduled for August 10 in Poonch Division.
The PPP has alleged electoral misconduct, violence, and rigging across multiple constituencies. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused the PML-N of attempting to “steal the public mandate,” citing incidents such as the attack on AJK PPP President Chaudhry Latif Akbar during polling in LA-31, where party worker Mushtaq Shah was killed.
The AJK Election Commission has not publicly addressed these latest allegations, while the PML-N continues to reject any claims of election manipulation.
