PPP moves AJK election commission over Maryam Nawaz’s electric bus gift

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has approached the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission, raising objections over Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement to provide 10 electric buses to the region ahead of the AJK elections.

PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari met AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal and called for action over the buses displaying pictures of the Punjab chief minister.

Bukhari said the use of public resources for political purposes after the announcement of the election schedule was a violation of electoral laws and the code of conduct.

He alleged that buses purchased with taxpayers’ money in Punjab were being used as a “political bribe” to influence the AJK elections.

Questioning the display of Maryam Nawaz’s pictures on the buses, Bukhari asked whether they were purchased through personal funds. He said government resources cannot be used for the promotion of any political figure.

Earlier, Maryam Nawaz had announced the provision of 10 modern green electric buses for AJK during election campaign rallies. Following the Punjab government’s directives, the buses were sent to AJK carrying her pictures along with the message: “A gift for Azad Kashmir.”