Maryam Rejects Bilawal’s Rigging Allegations, Says AJK Defeat Was Due to Lack of Public Support

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

Responding to Bilawal’s claims of rigging, Maryam said elected representatives are chosen by the people, not by the state. She said the PPP lost because it lacked a clear agenda, effective planning, preparation and performance needed to win public confidence.

“Elected representatives are chosen by the public, not by the state. 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 and suggested that the PPP’s setback was linked to weak communication with AJK residents.

She urged the PPP leadership to focus on governance and public service instead of criticising political opponents, saying that performance and delivery were the key factors that shaped public opinion.

The Punjab chief minister acknowledged PPP’s contribution to democracy but said attacking the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would not provide political benefit. She maintained that voters in AJK supported the PML-N because of its development projects and welfare initiatives.

Her remarks came after the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections in Mirpur Division, where unofficial results showed the PML-N winning seven seats while the PPP secured three seats.

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

The first phase of polling was held on July 27 across 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division, where more than 1.4 million registered voters participated. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the polling process concluded peacefully with significant voter participation, while final results will be announced after completion of the legal procedure.

Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari claimed that the PPP had secured a majority in the AJK elections regardless of the final vote count. He alleged widespread irregularities, violence and interference in the electoral process, saying his party would challenge the results through constitutional and democratic means.

The PPP chairman also alleged that party worker Mukhtar Younus was killed during an incident in Nakyal involving supporters of PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz confirmed that one person was killed and two others were injured in the firing incident.

Bilawal accused authorities of failing to take timely action, claiming that a video allegedly showing firing by Naeem and his companions had surfaced before polling day.

PPP leaders also accused opponents of disrupting polling at multiple locations and called on the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

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PPP leader Sharjeel Memon separately alleged that the PML-N had adopted “dirty tactics” after sensing defeat in Mirpur and accused the party of attempting to create unrest and pressure voters.

During the election campaign, Bilawal had also criticised the Punjab government’s announcement of providing 10 electric buses to AJK, alleging that the move was aimed at influencing voters and describing it as a political tactic.

The PML-N has rejected all allegations, maintaining that the election results reflected the public mandate and denying any claims of interference or rigging. The AJK Election Commission is expected to announce the final official results after completing the required legal process.