PPP-PML-N row intensifies as AJK polls enter second phase

Political tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have

Political tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have deepened as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) entered the second phase of its elections. Despite several rounds of negotiations, the two coalition partners failed to resolve their dispute over the first phase of polling.

The second phase of the elections is being held in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Authorities have made extensive security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling, while political uncertainty continues to dominate the electoral process.

The disagreement began after the first phase of elections in Mirpur, where the PML-N secured key victories. The PPP questioned the election results and alleged irregularities in several constituencies. The PML-N rejected the allegations and insisted that the elections reflected the public mandate.

The dispute has led to an exchange of sharp political statements between leaders of both parties. Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah criticized PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for repeatedly raising allegations of election rigging. He questioned the basis of such claims and also referred to the election of President Asif Ali Zardari while responding to the PPP’s criticism of the 2024 general elections.

Rana Sanaullah also commented on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks regarding the country’s governance system and the debate over creating new provinces. He criticized the minister’s statements and questioned his political rise.

Meanwhile, PPP leader Saeed Ghani strongly defended his party during a press conference. He claimed that the PPP had never formed a government through election manipulation. He alleged that the PML-N had repeatedly benefited from controversial election outcomes and accused its leadership of making baseless allegations against the PPP.

In an effort to reduce tensions, senior representatives from both parties held several meetings over the past few days. The discussions focused on finding a legal and political solution to the dispute over the election results.

According to party sources, the PPP initially challenged the results in four constituencies. It later withdrew objections in two constituencies but continued to demand action regarding Charhoi and Nakyal, where its candidates were defeated by PML-N nominees.

During the negotiations, PML-N representatives maintained that any irregularities were isolated incidents rather than evidence of systematic rigging. They argued that such incidents had occurred in previous elections and should not be used to question the overall electoral process.

The talks, however, failed to produce a final agreement. As a result, political tensions remained high ahead of the second phase of voting.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met PML-N President Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to review the evolving political situation. The meeting focused on the party’s strategy and the growing dispute with the PPP over the AJK elections. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also attended the consultation.

The participants reviewed the political challenges facing the ruling coalition and discussed possible steps to prevent further escalation between the two allied parties.

In another development, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he had received a positive response to his proposal for establishing a truth and reconciliation commission in Azad Kashmir. He described the response as encouraging and said the proposal had also received support from the AJK Legislative Assembly.

Bilawal said he would carefully review the suggestions before consulting AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. He added that discussions would also be held with the federal government and other stakeholders to determine whether a consensus could be reached on the proposed commission.