PML-N needs six more seats for two-thirds majority in AJK, says Rana Sanaullah

BAGH: Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) needs only six more seats to secure a two-thirds majority in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly.

Addressing a public rally in Bagh ahead of the third phase of AJK elections, Sanaullah expressed confidence that the PML-N would win all four seats being contested on August 10.

The third phase covers Poonch Division, which comprises 11 constituencies — three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch and two in Sudhnoti.

Under the revised schedule issued by the AJK Election Commission, polling in Bagh and Haveli will be held on August 10, while new dates for elections in Poonch and Sudhnoti will be announced after a review of the security situation.

The PML-N has emerged as the leading party after the first two phases of the AJK elections, securing 24 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won 10 seats.

Taking a jibe at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who has repeatedly claimed that the countdown for the PML-N government in Islamabad has begun, Sanaullah said those counting down would themselves be “straightened out”.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam also addressed the rally and reiterated that the PML-N would form the government in AJK with a two-thirds majority.

Meanwhile, AJK Chief Election Commissioner said the polling date for Rawalakot could be announced within seven days once the issue of ongoing sit-ins was resolved.

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The election campaign for the third phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections will conclude at midnight on Saturday.

A day earlier, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had rejected the PML-N’s expectation of forming the AJK government, saying the party was mistaken in believing it would secure power in Muzaffarabad.

Bilawal also claimed that the PML-N government in Islamabad was itself facing a political threat and reiterated that the countdown had begun.

The PPP chairman alleged that a section within the PML-N was attempting to create differences between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his coalition partners.

Referring to reported differences within the Sharif family, Bilawal said the real political contest was between Islamabad and Lahore, describing it as an internal matter for the ruling family.