A heated political dispute has erupted between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after the initial phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. Both parties have leveled serious allegations against each other concerning the election’s conduct and results.
On Wednesday, leaders from PML-N and PPP held separate press briefings to defend their stances and challenge opposing claims. Former Prime Minister and senior PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf asserted that his party was denied a fair mandate, presenting claims of irregularities backed by video evidence from the polling process.
Ashraf stated that PPP candidates had formally requested the Chief Election Commissioner to withhold the results and investigate the complaints. He accused some areas of ballot paper burning and reported that PPP workers were forcibly removed from polling stations. Although videos of these incidents were reportedly available, technical issues prevented their display during the press conference.
He also questioned the unusually high voter turnout in several constituencies, such as LA-12 and LA-5, noting that many registered voters in these areas reside abroad. Turnout figures ranging from 88 to 94 percent, combined with reports of polling stations recording no rejected votes, raised serious doubts about the election’s integrity. Ashraf clarified that the PPP was not demanding a complete re-election but urged reviews only in constituencies where complaints had been lodged.
The PPP leader mentioned that the Chief Election Commissioner was already examining hundreds of election-related petitions. He warned that delays in addressing these grievances could erode public confidence in the electoral process and vowed that the PPP would pursue all democratic and legal avenues if injustices were confirmed.
In response, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari dismissed the PPP’s allegations, emphasizing the necessity for political parties to respect the electorate’s decision. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, she highlighted that democracy demands acceptance of the people’s mandate.
Bukhari suggested that the PPP’s dissatisfaction stemmed from the election outcome, asserting that the people of AJK had shown trust in PML-N leadership and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. She pointed out that PPP representatives had access to development funds but failed to meet voter expectations through their governance. Citing Punjab government initiatives such as the Green Bus Service, road infrastructure projects, education reforms, and laptop distribution, she presented these as evidence of tangible progress.
She further challenged the PPP to account for its governance record in Sindh over the past 18 years. The Punjab minister also noted that Maryam Nawaz had maintained a respectful tone during the campaign, contrasting this with critical speeches by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Bukhari extended an invitation to PPP leaders to visit Punjab and observe the provincial government’s development efforts firsthand.
Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon joined the controversy, questioning the credibility of the AJK elections and accusing PML-N of replicating alleged irregularities similar to those seen in the 2024 general elections. Memon claimed voter turnout in some Mirpur Division constituencies reached suspiciously high levels, with some areas reportedly hitting 99 percent and one constituency even recording 110 percent turnout.
He demanded investigations into these figures and called for the reopening and review of results in three constituencies, including that of Chaudhry Yasin. Memon reiterated the PPP’s commitment to democracy, parliamentary processes, and constitutional continuity, while accusing PML-N of intolerance toward criticism. He also criticized the Punjab government for incidents involving journalists, urging that media professionals be allowed to operate without restrictions.
This exchange has further escalated political tensions following the first phase of the AJK elections. While the PPP insists on scrutiny of disputed constituencies, the PML-N maintains that the election outcomes reflect the genuine will of the people.
