Maryam Nawaz hits back at Bilawal over AJK election criticism as PPP alleges poll rigging

WEB DESK: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday evening rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s criticism of the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, saying the party’s defeat in Mirpur reflected a lack of public support rather than electoral manipulation.

Responding to Bilawal’s allegations of rigging in the AJK elections, Maryam said elected representatives are chosen by the people, not by the state.

“Electing members are not by the state; they are by the public. You have simply lost because of having no agenda, no plan to work, no proper preparation or performance to contest the elections,” she said.

Maryam said she had always tried to understand the challenges faced by the people of Kashmir during her visits to the region, adding that the PPP’s electoral setback stemmed from weak communication with AJK residents.

She urged the PPP leadership to focus on governance and public service instead of criticising political rivals.

“You should focus on your performance to give the best reflection to the people of Kashmir. That is what demonstrates good governance,” she said.

While acknowledging the PPP’s contributions to democracy, Maryam argued that attacking the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would not benefit the party politically.

Rejecting allegations of rigging, she maintained that voters in AJK had endorsed the PML-N because of its development agenda and public welfare projects.

“The AJK people appreciated the PML-N for its projects; therefore, Bilawal Bhutto’s allegations make no sense,” she said.

Her remarks came after the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, in which the PML-N secured seven of the 13 Mirpur Division seats, while the PPP won three, according to unofficial results.

Among the declared constituencies, PML-N’s Azhar Sadiq won LA-1 Mirpur-I with 15,427 votes, defeating PPP candidate Afser Shahid. In LA-4 Mirpur-IV, PML-N candidate Chaudhry Rukhsar secured victory with 22,376 votes over PPP’s Sohaib. The PPP’s Chaudhry Yasir Sultan won LA-3 Mirpur-III with 12,590 votes, narrowly defeating PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed.

The first phase of polling, held on July 27, covered 13 constituencies across Mirpur Division, where more than 1.4 million registered voters cast their ballots. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said polling concluded peacefully with a large voter turnout, while the Election Commission is expected to announce the final official results after completing the legal process.

Following polling, Bilawal Bhutto claimed that his party had already secured a majority in the AJK elections regardless of the final vote count, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and vowing to challenge the results through constitutional and democratic means.

Earlier, the PPP chairman said that the people of AJK, including Mirpur, would not “bargain away their rights” and accused the PML-N of attempting to influence the electoral process.

The PPP also alleged violence during the election, saying party worker Mukhtar Younus was killed during incidents involving the alleged display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.

Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz confirmed that one man was killed and two others, including the deceased’s father, were injured in the incident.

Expressing grief over the death, Bilawal alleged that Younus had been killed in firing by supporters of the PML-N candidate.

“My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” Bilawal said.

He further said that a video showing Naeem and his companions allegedly firing in public had surfaced two days before polling, arguing that timely action by authorities could have prevented the loss of life.

Other PPP leaders also alleged that polling was disrupted at multiple locations and urged the Election Commission to ensure a free, fair and peaceful electoral process.

The PPP leader Sharjeel Memon has also accused the PML-N of resorting to “dirty tactics” after allegedly sensing defeat in the Mirpur elections. He claimed the ruling party was attempting to create unrest and intimidate voters, urging the PML-N leadership to restrain its workers.

Earlier during the election campaign, Bilawal had also criticised the Punjab government’s announcements for AJK, alleging they were intended to influence voters. He described the provision of 10 electric buses by the Punjab government as a “political bribe” and argued that the people of Kashmir were aware of governance challenges faced by residents of South Punjab under the PML-N.

The PML-N has rejected the PPP’s allegations, insisting that the election results reflected the will of the people and denying claims of interference or rigging. The Election Commission has yet to announce the final official results after completing the prescribed legal process.