ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the party’s successful candidates after unofficial results from the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections indicated a decisive victory for the ruling party.
In this regard, the PML-N secured 14 out of the 18 seats contested during the second phase of polling held on Sunday. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is both the PML-N’s key electoral rival in AJK and its coalition partner in the federal government, won the remaining four seats.
The PPP has alleged electoral irregularities, including rigging, violence, and malpractice during the polling process. Similar allegations were also raised following the first phase of the AJK elections, held in the Mirpur division on July 27.
The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases due to security considerations. The second phase covered seven constituencies in the Muzaffarabad division along with 12 refugee seats reserved for refugees from India-held Jammu and Kashmir.
The third and final phase of polling is scheduled to take place in 11 constituencies of the Poonch division.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the party’s performance as a reflection of the confidence reposed by the people of AJK in the PML-N’s leadership and policies.
“The continuity of this success is the result of the hard work of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and the entire party team,” the prime minister said, adding that the successful election campaign demonstrated the public’s trust in the party’s vision.
He confirmed that the development and prosperity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, along with the welfare of its people, would remain the PML-N’s foremost priority. The prime minister also appreciated the participation of political parties in the electoral process, saying that active political engagement would further strengthen democratic institutions and democratic values in the region.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, during a press briefing in Muzaffarabad, announced the unofficial results of the second phase of the elections. According to the figures released, the PML-N emerged as the dominant party by winning 14 seats, while the PPP secured four seats, setting the stage for the final phase of polling in Poonch division.
