Sharmila Faruqui alleges AJK poll rigging

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Faruqui has alleged that her party believes in the power of the vote

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Faruqui has alleged that her party believes in the power of the vote, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) relies on other means to secure political success.

Speaking during a television programme on Monday, Faruqui claimed that an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), giving the impression that the election mandate had already been secured.

She argued that announcements of development initiatives, including Green Bus projects, before polling day amounted to pre-poll rigging. According to her, even if the PML-N succeeds in forming a government in AJK with the current mandate, it will struggle to effectively serve the people.

Faruqui also questioned the handling of polling in constituencies where the PPP traditionally enjoys strong public support. She alleged that polling staff arrived late in several such areas, raising concerns about the transparency of the electoral process.

Referring to the killing of a PPP worker, she claimed that the incident was initially described as resulting from either a push or a heart attack, despite the party maintaining that the worker had been deliberately targeted.

The PPP leader further said the AJK elections should not be viewed through the political lens of Lahore or Karachi, as the region has its own unique issues and priorities.

She maintained that the people of Azad Kashmir have a longstanding bond with the PPP and asserted that no other political party enjoys the same level of public support in the region.

The PML-N has not publicly responded to Faruqui’s allegations. Meanwhile, results from the second phase of the AJK elections continue to emerge, with the PML-N maintaining a clear lead according to unofficial results.