‘Rigging mastermind cries foul’: Maryam’s sharp retort

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has strongly criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over its allegations

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has strongly criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over its allegations of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections.

Maryam responded to criticism from PPP leaders in a social media post on Wednesday. She accused the PPP of being behind what she described as “subtle rigging” and questioned its decision to complain about electoral irregularities.

“The mastermind of subtle rigging is crying foul over rigging,” Maryam said in her post. She then added a sarcastic question about when doomsday would arrive.

Her remarks came after PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Hassan Murtaza accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of manipulating the AJK election process.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Murtaza alleged that electoral rules had been repeatedly violated during the polls.

He also criticised the role of the Election Commission. He claimed that the commission had acted like an election agent instead of performing its constitutional responsibilities.

Murtaza accused the PML-N of setting a new example of electoral rigging. He said his party had been treated unfairly during the elections.

The PPP leader also criticised the political activities of the PML-N leadership in AJK.

Without directly naming Maryam Nawaz, Murtaza referred to her father, Nawaz Sharif. He said Sharif had gone to Kashmir and expressed a desire to become prime minister.

Murtaza argued that if the PML-N leadership was now seeking the AJK premiership, it was only possible because of the PPP’s political role.

He also defended Nawaz Sharif and said the PPP respected the former prime minister. Murtaza claimed that the PML-N had itself reduced Sharif’s political standing by offering him a position as chairman of an institution in Lahore while he was seeking the AJK premiership.

The PPP leader then shifted his criticism to Punjab’s governance and public services.

He claimed that thousands of acres of farmland between Shahdara and Muridke had been inundated. According to Murtaza, water had reached several feet in some agricultural areas.

He said the damage was not caused by a major flood. Instead, he blamed a breach in a drain embankment.

Murtaza also criticised the Punjab government’s claims about Lahore’s development. He argued that the city’s infrastructure remained vulnerable to heavy rainfall.

He said several roads turned into what he described as drainage channels after only a few hours of rain.

The PPP leader blamed government decisions for creating difficulties for citizens. He also criticised the import of one million metric tonnes of wheat.

Murtaza claimed that the imported wheat was worth around Rs1 trillion. He questioned the government’s economic decisions and argued that citizens deserved better public services.

He said taxes collected from the public should be used to provide essential facilities. He also called on the government to fulfil its responsibility toward citizens.

The political dispute comes amid growing tensions between the PPP and PML-N over the AJK elections.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also alleged irregularities in the first phase of the AJK elections.

The PML-N, however, has rejected allegations of rigging and defended the election results. Maryam Nawaz has previously urged political opponents to accept defeat rather than make allegations of electoral manipulation