Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to accept the outcome of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections instead of making allegations of electoral rigging. Speaking in a video statement, she said that respecting the public’s decision is essential for strengthening democracy and advised the PPP to accept its defeat “with an open heart.”
Her comments came in response to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who criticised the conduct of the first phase of the AJK elections and questioned whether the electoral process truly reflected democratic values. Bilawal claimed that PPP candidates had received strong public support and raised concerns about the fairness of the polling process.
According to unofficial and provisional election results, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) secured nine seats, while the PPP won four seats out of the 13 constituencies contested during the first phase of polling in Mirpur Division.
Rejecting the allegations of rigging, Maryam Nawaz stated that elections are decided by the people and not by state institutions. She said there was no evidence to support claims of manipulation against PML N candidates and urged political parties to respect the public mandate. She also encouraged the PPP leadership to review its own political performance rather than blaming the election process.
The Punjab chief minister also criticised the PPP’s governance in Sindh, saying the party should focus on improving healthcare, roads, sanitation, and law and order instead of making political accusations. She added that the people of AJK voted for development and expressed confidence that the PML N would fulfil its commitments to the region.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal also defended the election results, describing the PPP’s allegations as inappropriate and undemocratic. He congratulated election officials and law enforcement agencies for ensuring peaceful polling and said the people of AJK had exercised their democratic right freely. He maintained that voters supported the PML N after comparing the performance of different political parties, adding that respecting the electoral outcome is vital for democratic stability.
