Summary
- Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has strongly rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s allegations of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, saying political parties should respect the public’s mandate and pursue legal channels if they have complaints.
- Responding to Bilawal’s criticism of the election process, Bukhari questioned why the PPP was accusing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of electoral manipulation despite the AJK government and administrative machinery being under its own jurisdiction.
- The exchange of statements has intensified political tensions following the AJK elections, with both the PPP and PML-N continuing to trade accusations over the electoral process and governance issues.
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has strongly rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s allegations of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, saying political parties should respect the public’s mandate and pursue legal channels if they have complaints.
“My question is this: the prime minister is yours, the police are yours, yet you are accusing the PML-N of rigging,” she said. She also alleged that in Nawabshah, opposition candidates contesting against the PPP often face intimidation, adding that Bilawal should address such concerns before making allegations against others.
The provincial minister noted that two phases of the Azad Kashmir elections are still to be held and advised the PPP to approach the courts if it believes electoral irregularities have occurred. “If you have complaints, go to the courts and adopt the legal course,” she said.
Bukhari emphasized that accepting election outcomes is a fundamental principle of democracy. She criticized the PPP for refusing to accept the results while presenting itself as a strong supporter of democratic values.
She also criticized Bilawal’s speech, saying it appeared to imitate the rhetoric of other political leaders and that the language he used was inappropriate for a democratic debate.
Turning her attention to governance in Sindh, Bukhari questioned the PPP’s performance during its long tenure in the province. She accused the party of failing to address Karachi’s water supply issues, alleging that the city had effectively been left in the hands of the tanker mafia.
She further challenged the PPP leadership to present examples of development projects completed in Sindh, arguing that the party frequently criticizes other provinces while failing to highlight its own achievements.
Comparing Punjab and Sindh, Bukhari claimed Punjab had made greater progress in public services, citing initiatives such as air ambulance services and school meal programs. She also questioned how the Sindh government had utilized its reported Rs. 1.7 trillion budget, asking officials to identify the major development projects completed with those funds.
The exchange of statements has intensified political tensions following the AJK elections, with both the PPP and PML-N continuing to trade accusations over the electoral process and governance issues.
