Politicians, experts call for new provinces, sweeping local govt reforms
ISLAMABAD: A diverse gathering of political figures, policymakers, technocrats and civil society representatives at a national debate called for new provinces, administrative units and sweeping local government reforms to decentralise state authority and address the country’s deepening governance crisis. The debate, “Should Pakistan create more administrative units?” was organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Senior representatives of PML-N, PPP, MQM, PTI, JI and JUI-F, federal ministers, technocrats and civil society members participated in the discussion. The debate examined multiple reform options, including the creation of new provinces and administrative units, stronger and more empowered local governments, fiscal devolution, institutional reform and better alignment of government structures with citizens’ needs. A recurring theme was that any governance restructuring should be informed by constitutional requirements, public demand, fiscal sustainability, administrative capacity and its likely impact on service delivery. Stress greater devolution and reforms to address constitutional, fiscal and regional concerns Participants also highlighted the need for stronger devolution of political, administrative and financial authority so that governance structures, whether existing or newly created, can respond more effectively to citizens. They offered different perspectives on the appropriate structure and scale of governance, with some supporting the creation of new provinces or smaller administrative units, others stressing empowerment of existing tiers, and many arguing that these options should be assessed together rather than treated as mutually exclusive. Liaqat Baloch of Jamaat-i-Islami said the creation of new provinces and the strengthening of local governments should be considered alongside broader fiscal and constitutional reforms. He called for more effective use of the Council of Common Interests to address disputes between the federation and provinces, particularly over resources, water and other constitutional matters. Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal said administrative restructuring should ultimately be judged by whether it reduces citizens’ sense of exclusion and improves service delivery. He argued that smaller administrative units could bring government closer to citizens and stressed that local governments would remain an essential part of the governance architecture regardless of the number of provinces. He also said proposals for new provinces should be backed by public support. Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, said citizens most frequently approach elected representatives over local service delivery issues such as roads, streets and sewerage, underscoring the need for effective local governments. PPP leader and former information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira noted that the debate over administrative restructuring is not new and cautioned that any reform process should be managed carefully so that it does not deepen inter-provincial or inter-regional sensitivities over resource distribution. Nadeem Afzal Chan, PPP leader and former Member of National Assembly, called for politicians and state stakeholders to develop a consensus-based reform agenda. He identified judicial and electoral reform, intra-party democracy and rule of law as related governance priorities, and said any discussion on administrative restructuring should remain anchored in the constitutional framework. Asad Umar, former federal minister, described declining public trust in state institutions and excessive centralisation as major governance challenges. He proposed a three-tier NFC arrangement through which resources would be distributed among the federal, provincial and local governments according to a defined formula. Salman Akram Raja, PTI Secretary General, argued that Pakistan already had divisions, districts and tehsils that required greater empowerment. He said even splitting Punjab into three provinces would leave each unit larger in population than most European countries. Noor Alam Khan, MNA and former chairman of PAC, called for comprehensive governance reforms before and alongside the creation of new provinces. Dr Farrukh Saleem, economist and political analyst, opposed creating a large number of additional provinces without first addressing institutional weaknesses. He argued that Pakistan’s central problem was expenditure and governance rather than tax collection. Mohammad Mallick, senior journalist and analyst, said structural changes would remain ineffective without changing institutional behaviour and political culture. Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, SDPI Executive Director, said the debate demonstrated the value of bringing different governance options into a common policy discussion. He noted that participants presented varied views on new administrative units and provinces, while also identifying strong local governments, effective fiscal devolution and improved service delivery as important elements of any future governance framework. Others who spoke included Dr Khaqan Hassan Najeeb, former Adviser at the Ministry of Finance; Mohammad Ali Durrani, former federal minister; and Haroonur Rashid, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2026
Evergrande wins HK$6b debt-recovery case after court rejects ‘fabricated’ claims
A Hong Kong court has ruled in favour of embattled conglomerate Evergrande in a debt-recovery case, allowing it to recoup about HK$6 billion (US$764.7 million) from a third party after a judge found the borrower’s arguments against enforcement of the loan were “fabricated”. In a High Court judgment handed down on Friday and seen by the South China Morning Post, Judge Linda Chan dismissed an injunction application filed by Yingjia International Properties to restrain offshore entity State Hero...
Sosyal medya fenomeni canlı yayında hayatına son verdi! Ölmeden önce şok paylaşım: 'Uzun süredir hedefteydi'
K-Pop dünyası 26 yaşındaki Japon sosyal medya fenomeni Mina Chan'ın ölümüyle sarsıldı. Güney Kore'de yaşayan ve dünyaca ünlü erkek K-Pop grubu Enhypen için fan hesabı yöneten genç sosyal medya fenomeninin, ölümünden önce bazı hayranlar tarafından "sınırları aşmakla" suçlandığı ve yoğun tepki gördüğü ortaya çıktı. ‘CANLI YAYINDA KENDİSİNE ZARAR VERDİ’ The Sun'ın haberine göre Mina Chan'ın ölümü, 5 Ağustos'un ilk saatlerinde yaşanan korkunç olayın ardından gündeme geldi. Güney Kore haber ajansı Yonhap'ın aktardığına göre polis, sabah saat 05.33'te 20'li yaşlarında Japon bir fenomenin sosyal medya canlı yayını sırasında kendisine zarar vermeye çalıştığı yönünde ihbar aldı. Sonrasında genç kızın hayatını kaybettiği daha sonra ailesi tarafından doğrulandı. 'HEDEF OLDU' Mina Chan, Enhypen grubunun üyelerinden Ni-Ki'nin büyük bir hayranı olarak biliniyordu. Ancak genç fenomen grubun ABD'deki konserlerinden biri sırasında yaptığı bir hareket, K-Pop hayranları arasında büyük tartışma başlattı. Mina'nın, grubun üyelerinden Sunoo'dan Ni-Ki'ye çiçek ulaştırmasını istediği belirtildi. Bu olayın ardından bazı hayranlar genç kadını grubun ve özellikle Ni-Ki'nin dikkatini üzerine çekmeye çalışmakla suçladı. Tepkilerin giderek büyümesiyle birlikte sosyal medyada Mina eleştirilerin hedefi oldu. ‘ÖZÜR DİLEMİŞTİ’ Tartışmaların büyüdüğü dönemde Ni-Ki'nin hayranlarla ilgili bir podcast programında yaptığı açıklamalar da yeniden gündeme geldi. Ünlü isim, herhangi bir hayranın adını vermeden konserlerde müzikten çok sanatçıların dikkatini çekmeye çalışan bazı kişiler olduğunu söyledi. Ni-Ki, programda, bazı hayranların "gerçekten kendilerini fark etmemizi istediğini" ifade etti. Her ne kadar Mina Chan'ın adı doğrudan anılmasa da bu sözler sonrasında sosyal medyada tartışmalar yeniden alevlendi. Chan ise yaşananların ardından özür dilemişti. Mina, X hesabından yaptığı paylaşımda Sunoo ve onun hayranlarından özür dileyerek, grubun hayran buluşmalarına birden fazla kez katılmasının kendisini grup üyelerine gerçekte olduğundan daha yakın hissetmesine neden olduğunu belirtti. ABD'deki davranışlarından dolayı "derin bir pişmanlık" duyduğunu ifade etti. HAYRANLARI YASA BOĞULDU Mina Chan'ın ölüm haberinin duyulmasının ardından sosyal medyada çok sayıda taziye mesajı paylaşıldı. Fenomen ismin takipçilerinden biri, Mina'nın böyle bir sonu hak etmediğini belirterek onu "nazik ve iyi kalpli" biri olarak tanımladı. Mina'nın kız kardeşi de Instagram'dan yaptığı açıklamada ablasının "herkese karşı nazik ve sıcak" olduğunu belirterek ölümün aile için yıkıcı olduğunu söyledi. SORUŞTURMA BAŞLATILDI Mina Chan'ın ölümüyle ilgili soruşturma başlatıldı. Yetkililer olayın tüm ayrıntılarını araştırırken, Chan’ın ölümünden önce yaşadığı sosyal medya tartışmalarının olayla bağlantısı olup olmadığı da inceleme kapsamında değerlendiriliyor.
North Korea fires ballistic missile, South Korea military says
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile over the Sea of Japan on Thursday, Seoul’s military said, with the launch coming after Pyongyang lambasted Japan’s military build-up in the Pacific. North Korea, which since 2019 has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state, featured among growing regional threats in a recent Japanese government assessment. Tokyo’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said this week that Japan’s military needs to be boosted with a “sense of urgency and crisis”. In a statement carried by North Korean state media on Wednesday, Kim Yo Jong — the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un — said Pyongyang’s “leadership will set up additional military options which are obviously due to Japan’s transformation”. On Thursday, South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff (JCS) said that “our military detected one short-range ballistic missile launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea at around 5pm (0800 GMT)”. Authorities in Seoul and Washington were analysing the missile’s exact specifications, it added in a message to news organisations. The JCS said earlier the missile was launched towards the East Sea, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. Tokyo’s defence ministry posted on X that “something that may be a ballistic missile has been launched from North Korea”, later saying there was no impact “on the areas around Japan”. Seoul has strengthened surveillance and maintained readiness for possible additional launches while sharing information with its security allies — the United States and Japan, the JCS said. South Korea and the United States are expected to carry out their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises, aimed at containing the nuclear-armed North, later this month. North Korea has always been infuriated by such joint drills, decrying them as rehearsals for invasion. Under the South Korea-US combined defence posture “our military is maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation”, Seoul’s JCS said on Thursday. ‘New militarism’ North Korea has deepened economic and military ties with Russia, supplying troops and munitions for Moscow’s war in Ukraine in exchange for financial support, food, energy and military technology, analysts say. Some experts said Thursday’s launch could have been intended to test weapons before Kim Jong Un’s expected visit to Russia this year. “Before heading to Russia, Kim may have wanted to demonstrate that Pyongyang had already tested these missile systems and achieved satisfactory results,” Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean-born researcher, told AFP. “If the trip materialises, Kim is very likely to showcase them to Russia or seek to export them.” Japan’s defence ministry declined to comment directly on Kim Yo Jong’s Wednesday diatribe but said the country’s defence capabilities “remain bare minimum” and “are not meant to threaten other countries”. Tokyo raised its military expenditure by 9.7 per cent to $62.2 billion in 2025 — equivalent to 1.4pc of GDP, its highest share since 1958. China, a key ally of North Korea, has also recently expressed alarm at what it sees as “new militarism” by Japan. South Korea’s dovish President Lee Jae Myung has reversed the stance of his hawkish predecessor since taking power in Seoul in June 2025, offering nuclear-armed Pyongyang talks without preconditions. The hermetic leadership of North Korea has yet to respond to his repeated offers. The two Koreas remain technically at war because their 1950-53 war, triggered by a North Korean attack, ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Kuzey Kore, Japonya'nın askeri hamleleri sonrası kısa menzilli balistik füze fırlattı- Ekonomik07 Ağu
Man jailed for pretending to supply gloves and face masks during COVID-19 pandemic, cheating 11 victims of S$3.79 million
Gerald Chan Tzen-Chou, who has been in remand since December 2020, told one of his victims that global demand for surgical face masks was very high and convinced her to invest with him in an Indonesian factory producing them. Neither the factory nor his investment was real.
Green notification for tropical cyclone CHAN-HOM-26. Population affected by Category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0 (0 in Tropical Storm).
From 07/08/2026 to 07/08/2026, a Tropical Storm (maximum wind speed of 93 km/h) CHAN-HOM-26 was active in NWPacific. The cyclone affects these countries: Japan, Russian Federation (vulnerability Low). Estimated population affected by category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0 (0 in tropical storm).
Former Standard Chartered bankers jailed over HK$28m Africa investment scam
Two former relationship managers at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong have been jailed for three years for swindling HK$28 million (US$3.6 million) from 21 Japanese investors who believed their money would fund development projects in Africa. The District Court on Thursday sentenced Woo Man-ho and Chan Tak-ching on a total of four counts of conspiracy to defraud arising from a transnational investment scam between January 2015 and September 2016. The defendants, both 39, had earlier pleaded...
- Güvenlik04 Ağu
Mark Zuckerberg's wife invested $125 million in a school for the disadvantaged; now she is closing it to focus on AI
The Primary School, offering tuition-free education to low-income families, has officially closed, impacting around 540 children who depended on its support. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the school's benefactor, is redirecting its resources towards biotechnology and artificial intelligence. As part of its commitment, it has announced substantial funding aimed at assisting affected students and local organizations.
Priscilla Chan'ın Dezavantajlı Çocuklar İçin Kurduğu Okul Kapandı, Yapay Zekâya Yöneliyor Chehlum observed in Islamabad amid extraordinary security
ISLAMABAD/ RAWALPINDI: A large number of mourners attended the main procession of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), held on Monday in the federal capital amid extraordinary security due to a surge in terror activities in recent times. Meanwhile, the Chehlum will be observed in the garrison city on Tuesday (today), with all arrangements finalised, while the district administration has announced a public holiday within the municipal limits from Faizabad to Marrir Chowk. The Metro Bus service will also remain partially suspended between Saddar and Faizabad. All educational institutions, shops and banks along Murree Road and Raja Bazaar will remain closed. Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir issued a notification for the public holiday, stating that Tuesday would be a holiday for all public and private educational institutions within the municipal limits of Tehsil Rawalpindi. However, the holiday would not be applicable to Cantonment areas. Pindi administration announces public holiday as mourning procession routes sealed The leaders of Tehreek Nifaz Fiqh-i-Jaferia (TNFJ) and Shia Ulema Council (SUC) have on the othjer hand demanded the Islamabad administration gradually reduce security arrangements and allow the locals to participate in the procession openly. Allama Arif Wahidi, leader of SUC said that the recent aggression by US and Israel against Iran has proven one thing that the people and the leadership of the country will not fall into any conspiracy of the West and would remain united. “We as a nation are able to beat the aggression of the enemy, may it be the external foes or local terrorists,” he added. He added that the recent phenomenon of registering cases against the organisers of mourning processions was totally unethical mainly by Punjab government and it would only encourage the extremists. The main procession of Chehlum Imam Hussain (AS) was taken out from Imam Bargah Asna Ashri G-6/2 and culminated at the same place after passing through Service Road G-6, Lal Quarter, G-6/1-2 and Melody. The residents of G-6 too demanded ending of restrictions on the procession route as they too wanted to participate in the procession to distribute ‘niaz’ and set up sabeels for the participants. The Rawalpindi district administration and local police have finalised security arrangements for the participants of the procession. Control rooms have been activated at Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation offices, while monitoring is being carried out through CCTV cameras of the Safe City Project. The main procession in Rawalpindi will begin from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain, Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah and Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain. The Zuljanah processions emerging from Imambargah Shohada-e-Karbala, Tyre Bazaar and the shrine of Sakhi Shah Chan Chiragh will also join the central procession. Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jafaria (TNFJ) Pakistan chief Allama Agha Syed Hussain Muqaddasi will visit the sacred relics during the central procession. Zanjeer Zani will be performed at Habib Bank Chowk during the procession. Mukhtar Students Organisation and Mukhtar Organisation (MO) will establish mourning camps at Fawara Chowk on Jamia Masjid Road. Personnel of Ibrahim Scouts, Mukhtar Force and members of the TNFJ Arbaeen Committee will accompany the procession and perform volunteer security duties. According to Dr Syed Aoun Kazmi, convener of the TNFJ Arbaeen Hussaini Committee, the procession will follow its designated route through Tyre Bazaar Chowk, Jamia Masjid Road and Pul Shah Nazar Diwan before concluding at the historic Qadeem Imambargah at night. Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026
PML-N poised to grab lion’s share in AJK
RAWALPINDI: People receive ballot papers from election officials as they wait to cast their votes at a polling station in Millat Colony, during the second phase of elections to the AJK Legislative Assembly.—Online • Initial tally shows ‘N’ leading second phase of elections • PPP set to win two refugee, two territorial seats; alleges widespread rigging • Polling in two constituencies postponed till tomorrow • Sporadic violence hits AJK capital • Bilawal says PML-N ‘crossed all limits’, accuses party of using violence • Azma eyes victory, says voters ‘deeply impressed’ by Maryam’s performance as CM MUZAFFARABAD: The PML-N appeared in a comfortable position to consolidate its lead over the PPP in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly after unofficial results from the AJK polls’ second phase showed it ahead in most contests, including the refugee seats spread across Pakistan. By late Sunday night, the Election Commission had officially notified results of five refugee constituencies, four of which were won by the PML-N and one by the PPP. Unofficial and unverified results from the remaining constituencies, however, suggested the PML-N had secured victory in 10 of the 12 refugee constituencies and at least two of the seven territorial constituencies where the polling had concluded. The PPP was said to have won two territorial constituencies and two refugee seats. Polling was originally scheduled in nine territorial constituencies — five in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts — besides all 12 refugee constituencies. However, the Election Commission deferred polling in LA-27, Muzaffarabad-I (Kutla) until Tuesday after polling staff and election material could not reach the constituency because of landslides and bad weather that blocked the Neelum Valley road and its link roads. Polling at 71 of the 174 polling stations in LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II (Lachhrat) was also postponed until Tuesday for the same reason. Voting in the remaining polling stations of the constituency was held as scheduled. However, due to a delay in the arrival of polling staff and election material, polling was affected at several locations. Consequently, the Election Commission extended polling by one hour in the territorial constituencies, while polling in the refugee constituencies ended at the scheduled time of 5pm. A person walks past closed shops at a market, during the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, in Muzaffarabad on August 2. — Reuters Sporadic clashes In parts of Muzaffarabad city, attempts were reportedly made to disrupt polling in some neighbourhoods, but voting continued in most areas. In LA-31, Muzaffarabad-V (Khawra), clashes between workers of the PML-N and PPP were reported in Union Council Katkair. The PPP alleged that one of its workers, Syed Mushtaq Shah, was killed in an attack by PML-N supporters. The PML-N rejected the allegation, claiming the man suffered a cardiac arrest following a scuffle between two groups. There was no independent confirmation of either claim. PPP candidate and Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar also wrote to the AJK chief election commissioner, alleging security lapses, firing incidents, interference in polling, prevention of polling agents from entering polling stations and denial of voting rights. He also claimed there had been an attempt on his life in which Advocate Syed Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi was injured, and called for an investigation and legal action against those responsible. There was no immediate response from the Election Commission. Clashes between workers of the two major parties, some involving the use of firearms, were also reported from different areas, though no casualties were immediately reported. “This is the first time I am casting my vote. It’s a new experience and I am excited,” said Syeda Warisha, a 22-year-old student, while waiting in a queue outside the Saheli Sarkar polling station in Muzaffarabad. PML-N leads polls Late at night, the AJK CEC announced official results of five refugee constituencies. PML-N candidates Muhammad Amir Shah (LA-41, Valley-II), Syed Shoukat Shah (LA-42, Valley-III), Mohammad Yasin Lone (LA-43, Valley-IV) and Ahmad Raza Qadri (LA-44, Valley-V) were declared successful, while PPP’s Abdul Majid Khan won LA-45 (Valley-VI), where PML-N had not fielded a candidate. Unofficial and unverified results suggested that the PPP had also won LA-40 (Valley-I) where it had fielded Amir Abdul Ghaffar Lone, while the PML-N swept all six Jammu refugee constituencies through Nasir Hussain Dar, Chaudhry Ismail, Sahibzada Ahsan Raza, Maryam Javed, Zeeshan Ali and Raja Muhammad Siddique. Among the territorial constituencies, unofficial results indicated that PML-N regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir was ahead with a narrow margin in LA-25 (Neelum-I), while the PPP’s Mian Abdul Waheed was leading in LA-26 (Neelum-II). In LA-29 (Muzaffarabad-III), PPP’s Sardar Mukhtar Abbasi was reported to have defeated PML-N’s Barrister Iftikhar Gillani by nearly 2,000 votes. PML-N candidate Raja Saqib Majeed was said to have defeated PPP’s Chaudhry Latif Akbar in LA-31 (Khawra), while Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi of the PML-N reportedly defeated PPP’s Mubashar Munir Awan in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV). In LA-33 (Leepa), PPP’s Deevan Ali Chughtai was reported to have defeated PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed. Former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider and PPP’s Sahibzada Ashfaq Zaffar were in a neck-and-neck contest for LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), while in LA-28 (Lachhrat), where polling could not be held at all polling stations, PML-N’s Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood was reportedly leading the race against PPP’s Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi. Refugee seats The Kashmiris voted for their candidates vying for refugee seats at polling stations set up in Chakwal, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Sargodha, Attock, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Mohmand, Mansehra, Quetta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Peshawar, Sanghar, and Naushahro Feroze. Polling in these areas largely remained peaceful and recorded a low turnout. In Mohmand, not a single voter turned up at a station set up for the AJK polls. In Dera Ghazi Khan, a single registered female voter cast her ballot at the Govt Elementary School in Maumori, where a polling station had been established just for her. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. Rigging allegations In continuation of its criticism of the PML-N over the AJK polls, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari accused his ruling partner of “robbing” the mandate. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. In a post on X, he condemned an “attack” on the party’s regional president, Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. He demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested. In a separate statement, Bilawal said, “The PML-N has crossed all limits. Attacks are taking place on our voters and the president of the state (AJK).” The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on Akbar. Chaudhry Akbar also wrote two letters to the ECP about the assault and the death of the party worker. PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bokhari claimed that eight party workers had been injured in the ongoing elections so far. Mr Bokhari contended there was a “state of lawlessness” in AJK. Similar allegations were levelled by PPP leaders Nadeem Afzal Chan and Punjab MPA Hassan Murtaza in separate media talks. Mr Chan said the PPP election cell received 15 complaints, which were submitted to the AJK Election Commission. “We have provided the government with clear evidence of rigging but the PML-N has not responded to the PPP’s concerns, he claimed. “The PPP cannot declare these elections free and fair,” he added. Azma eyes victory Earlier in the day, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the PML-N would secure a massive victory. Sharing videos of the peaceful polling process, the provincial minister remarked that the public, deeply impressed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s governance, was enthusiastically voting for the ‘Lion’ – the PML-N’s electoral symbol. Taking a jibe at political opponents, she claimed that the “whining party” was nowhere to be seen on the election day. “Those who always cry foul over rigging will keep screaming, while the masses will continue to ensure the PML-N’s success,” she stated. Reflecting on the election campaign, Ms Bokhari noted the overwhelming public reception the party had received. She highlighted that the successful campaign of the PML-N candidates was a testament to their impending victory. With input from Amjad Mahmood, Syed Irfan Raza, Hamid Asghar, Tariq Saeed Birmani, Aslam Piracha, Sajjad Niazi, Zulfiqar Memon, Saleem Shahid, Mohammad Ashfaq and Nisar Ahmad Khan Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026
Second phase of AJK polls concludes amid renewed rigging allegations by PPP
The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections took place on Sunday, with polling held in eight out of the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm for the refugee seats, while the process concluded at 6pm in Muzaffarabad after an hour-long extension. The electoral process in LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed due to heavy rain, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said, DawnNewsTV reported. Polling in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-II, commonly known as Kutla, was deferred until August 4 after polling material could not be dispatched due to a landslide. Similarly, polling in 52 of the 147 polling stations of LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II has also been postponed until August 4 for the same reason. Over 300 candidates were in the fray for the Muzaffarabad seats and the 12 seats for refugees settled in different regions. What has happened so far: Polling postponed in LA-27 due to rain; 4 other seats up for grabs in Muzaffarabad district, 2 each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley Voting held across country for 12 refugee seats — 7 in Punjab, other 5 divided between different provinces Bilawal condemns ‘attack’ on party’s regional president, says PPP worker killed in LA-31 PML-N disputes PPP claim, says man died from heart failure PPP alleges electoral malpractices at some polling stations in at least 11 constituencies Continuing his rigging allegations, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday accused the PML-N of “robbing” votes in the second phase of the AJK elections as well. In a post on X later in the day, he condemned an “attack” on the party’s regional president, Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. The PPP chairman demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested immediately. In a separate statement, Bilawal said, “The PML-N has crossed all limits. Attacks are taking place on our voters and the president of the state (AJK).” He remarked that in Muzaffarabad, the PPP’s “politics of dignity and principles was in contest with the PML-N’s threat, rigging and coercion”. The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on Akbar. The party said the LA-31 candidate was “engaged in the electoral process on polling day” when the alleged incident took place, accusing three individuals. It said a first information report (FIR) was being registered and urged the Election Commission to order an inquiry into the “security lapse” that resulted in the incident. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who belongs to the PPP, took notice of the incident and ordered the chief secretary and the police chief to take those responsible to justice. The AJK PM termed the attack “a slap on the politics of dignity and principle in Kashmir”. Akbar also wrote two letters to the Election Commission. In one, he alleged that an attempt on his life was made at Polling Station 177 “by PML-N workers” and wrote of the PPP worker’s death. He further claimed that his polling agents were not allowed to “sit in the polling area” at 14 polling stations. In the second letter, Akbar said PPP leader Syed Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi sustained bullet wounds in a “[murderous] attack” at a polling station in a building. Addressing a press conference, PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bokhari claimed that eight party workers had been injured in the ongoing elections so far. Bokhari contended there was a “state of lawlessness” in AJK. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on July 27, the second held today, and the third phase set for August 10 across Poonch division. Ahead of today’s elections, internet services were restored in parts of Muzaffarabad division after remaining suspended for 54 days on July 29. At the time, it was not clear whether the restoration covered the entire division or was limited to the state capital. Addressing the media on Sunday, the AJK CEC said that a letter had been written yesterday to request the restoration of internet services. He added that the outcome would be known today, without providing further details. “We will work according to the law; we will not come under pressure from anyone,” CEC Mughal said to a question. PML-N says man did not die from bullet, had heart failure On its part, the PML-N disputed the PPP’s stance on a man’s death in Muzaffarabad, saying that he died due to heart failure and did not suffer any bullet injury. Responding to the PPP’s stream of allegations in a media talk in Rawalpindi, PML-N Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said a man aged between 68 and 70 years was trying to resolve a “scuffle” when he suffered heart failure. She noted that there was a physical altercation between groups of the PML-N and the PPP, describing the incident as “unfortunate”. She further said that Shah’s family has refused to have a post-mortem examination conducted. “Will you do politics on bullets? Will you sabotage a democratic process by spreading such fake claims?” Aurangzeb said. She further said, “My brothers, this politics of bullet, this politics of robbing votes, this does not suit parties like us.” The PML-N leader went on to emphasise that the PPP leadership had given sacrifices and spent their “entire lives” in making efforts to strengthen democracy. She remarked that ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto “did not give sacrifice to see this day”. “You should remember that you are Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s grandson. We will keep reminding you because we will not let their sacrifices go to waste.” She further said that the PPP was aware that the public did not vote for it. “Are elections won by crying, grabbing collars, issuing threats or making accusations? Elections are won with courage.” The PML-N leader also took exception to Bilawal’s remarks of “snatching away seats” and “taking out seats”, saying: “Bilawal, you say good things. What kind of statements are you making now?” Aurangzeb compared the PPP’s attitude to that of the PTI, saying the former’s “narrative” should not be the same. “Find out so that you may not have to cry in Sindh,” the PML-N leader cautioned the PPP, noting people in Sindh were seeking performance similar to that of the Punjab government. Aurangzeb recalled the Charter of Democracy signed between the PPP and the PML-N in 2007, stressing that its purpose was not to let democratic processes be sabotaged. Noting that the PPP was in power in AJK and had its administrative machinery in the region, the PML-N leader questioned if Bilawal’s “own government is carrying out rigging against you”. She remarked that if one considered the PPP’s allegations to be true, the party would have to “accept” that its own government “carried out rigging against Bilawal”. Aurangzeb said the PPP-led administration was preventing the transportation of the required electoral equipment. She also commented on Bokhari showing ballot papers stamped with votes for PML-N, saying, “This is an election of thousands of votes. He was showing two stamps on two ballot papers.” The Punjab minister took aim at the PPP’s governance, saying that it had nothing to show for its performance. She quipped that voters were yet to head to polling stations early in the morning while the PPP had already started holding media talks on rigging. Aurangzeb said that if the PPP still had reservations, there were relevant platforms such as the Election Commission and tribunals to approach, rather than hold press conferences. “Contest the elections. Do not cry out loud,” she said. In a similar tone, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also regretted the rigging allegations levelled by the PPP. “Unfortunately, a democratic party, which is also a signatory to the Charter of Democracy, has been alleging rigging since 10:30 in the morning,” he said while addressing the media in Islamabad. Flanked by Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, Sanaullah claimed that the second phase of polls in AJK was conducted in a “peaceful manner”. The inter-provincial coordination minister said the electoral process was completed at 96 per cent of polling stations, adding that vote counting was underway. Sanaullah maintained that it was the “most transparent and non-violent electoral process”, adding that a few incidents had occurred during the day. Referring to the alleged attack on PPP leader Akbar, Sanaullah said it was a dispute involving another family in the area and that there had been “no physical confrontation”, only a verbal argument. Contesting the PPP’s claim about the second reported incident involving a party worker, the PML-N leader said a citizen named Mushtaq was involved in a scuffle with his family members, one of whom pushed him. “He reportedly went home afterwards and then suffered a heart attack as he was a cardiac patient. They [PPP] claimed that shots were fired, but not a single bullet was fired,” the premier’s adviser asserted. Sanaullah added that the PML-N condoled his death, but that the “deceased individual was not a PPP worker”. PPP alleges electoral malpractices On Sunday, the PPP alleged electoral malpractices shortly after polling commenced, with several of the complaints claiming its polling agents at some stations were not allowed to observe the voting process. At 2pm, the party also wrote a separate letter to the Election Commission requesting follow-up on 25 complaints filed by it regarding 11 constituencies. The PPP said it had not received any formal written response or acknowledgement from the electoral watchdog on the status of any of the 25 complaints. “Given the gravity, number and geographical spread of the violations documented, the Party respectfully submits that a formal response from the Commission is now overdue and urgently required.” On the other hand, the PML-N’s social media posts revolved around voters across Muzaffarabad and Punjab showing up to cast ballots with “enthusiasm”. Several posts highlighted that a large number of voters were flocking to the PML-N’s election camps, rather than those of rival parties. The PML-N also wrote to the Election Commission in response to a PPP complaint about LA-40 (Valley-I), terming the latter’s allegations against its candidate Muhammad Naeem Khan as “baseless”. In the letter, seen by Dawn, the PML-N asserted that the allegations “regarding administrative failures are unsubstantiated and appear to be an attempt to create unnecessary controversy around the polling process”. The PML-N urged the electoral watchdog to ensure that “no misleading or politically motivated complaint is allowed to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the polling”. ‘Ballot stuffing’ At a polling station in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), the PPP accused PML-N supporters of “ballot stuffing”. It further said that a government employee had been deployed as a polling agent for the PML-N at a separate polling station. In LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV), the PPP claimed PML-N workers removed a ballot box at the Banaw Langah polling station and placed it outside, where they were allegedly “stamping ballot papers”. In Charakhpora Union Council of LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V), the PPP said “bogus voting” was taking place at the Sharik Kamal Bandi-Khalsa polling station. The party said the alleged act “directly subverts the integrity of the poll”, adding that the polling station also did not have adequate security despite being declared “sensitive”. The PPP also alleged a PML-N MPA at a polling station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad of obstructing the voting process for the refugee seat of LA-45 (Kashmir-VI). In LA-25 (Neelum-I), the PPP said the voting process at a polling station had been halted after reports emerged of PML-N supporters tearing up ballot papers. The PPP also said its polling agents at a polling station in LA-25’s Khawaja Sari reported that “fraudulent votes are being cast” there. It urged the Election Commission to dispatch officials and law enforcement to halt the alleged action. ‘Polling agents excluded’ The party alleged that its polling agents were not allowed to sit at polling stations for refugee seat LA-34 (Jammu-I) in Cantonment and Lahore’s Sheranwala Gate, calling on the Election Commission to intervene. The PPP wrote to the electoral watchdog about a similar complaint emerging from a polling station in Janabad, Sargodha, for LA-34. Sharing another letter addressed to the Election Commission about LA-34, the PPP said “elected members” of the PML-N were present inside a Pakpattan polling station and “stamping ballot papers”. It further claimed that its polling agent was “barred from entering the same polling station”. “The deliberate exclusion of the PPP’s oversight representative while PML-N’s own elected officials conduct fraud inside the station is not a coincidence — it is a coordinated strategy to commit electoral fraud without any independent witness,” it alleged. The party urged the electoral watchdog to dispatch law enforcement to the polling station and remove the PML-N supporters allegedly involved in “ballot stuffing”. Regarding LA-42 (Valley-III), the PPP filed a complaint over party candidate Asim Sharif Butt’s polling agent being “physically prevented” from entering a polling station in Muzaffargarh’s Alipur Tehsil. The PPP also claimed its polling agents at three polling stations in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV) were denied from observing the electoral process. Similarly, the party said polling agents of candidate Ishfaq Zaffar were not permitted to take their seats at three polling stations in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI). Terming it a “serious violation” of the electoral code of conduct, the PPP sought disciplinary action against the presiding officers who allegedly refused the agents from discharging their duties. At one of those polling stations, the PPP claimed a “violent confrontation” was underway between supporters of PML-N candidate Raja Farooq Haider and PPP supporters. Other issues In a separate statement in the morning, the party claimed that no polling staff was present at any of the 196 polling stations in LA-27, adding that this raised the concern that there was a “deliberate” attempt to delay the polling. Similarly, the party alleged that polling staff had reached late at 71 polling stations of LA-28, due to which the voting process was facing delays. The PPP claimed that a similar situation was being witnessed at several polling stations of LA-30, where polling staff had not arrived on time. Regarding LA-31, the PPP said it had written to the Election Commission on behalf of its candidate Akbar, urging it to take action over difficulties faced by voters due to the closure of the Rangla-Katkair Road in Muzaffarabad. The party said over 50 vehicles carrying voters were stuck due to the road’s closure. PML-N slams ‘blame game’ Earlier in the day, PML-N’s Muqam called on political parties not to indulge in a “blame game”. “Nothing is to be gained from a blame game,” he said during a press conference in Islamabad, adding that law enforcement personnel were also deployed to ensure security. “They should not act in a manner that ‘why was I not given seats’,” Muqam said, stressing that it was the public whose votes allocate seats. The minister urged all political parties to let the electoral process take place in a peaceful manner, stressing that making allegations without evidence cannot change the results. At the same time, Muqam also highlighted “arbitrary transfers and administrative decisions” in AJK, where the PPP is in power. He said the moves “seemed discriminatory”. He recalled that the PML-N had accepted the results of elections in Gilgit-Baltistan held in June, where the PPP emerged the winner and formed the government. Defending the results from Mirpur, Muqam asserted that the people voted for PML-N due to its performance. On the other hand, PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also held a press conference where he called on the Election Commission to play its role in “proving” the election process in AJK to be free and fair. “Azad Kashmir is an international issue … people’s eyes are on it,” the former MNA said, adding that if the commission did not recognise the public and assure a free election, “tomorrow we will not be able to ratify this election under any circumstance”. He recalled that after the Mirpur polls, there was a detailed discussion within the party about boycotting the second and third phases. However, the party leadership refused the idea of a boycott. Chan cautioned that if the PPP was “compelled” to move towards such steps for the third phase, it would benefit those who wanted to prove the election “dirty”. “I see this becoming an ultra Form-47 election,” he said. He said that in negotiations in Muzaffarabad, the PPP had provided proof of rigging in four constituencies, as well as agreeing to hold re-polling in any other constituencies in which there were objections. He also called for a benchmark for voting, saying, “General polling was less than 30 per cent. But wherever you won, it was 80pc, 90pc, 75pc … this doesn’t even happen in urban cities like Islamabad and Lahore.” ‘Admission of rigging’ The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the polls in Mirpur, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. To defuse the tensions, senior leaders of both parties met multiple times in Azad Kashmir over the weekend to “explore a legal resolution” to the dispute. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings on Thursday and Friday. A PML-N source told Dawn that discussions focused on the PPP’s allegations and its demand for re-polling in certain constituencies. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” the source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. Referring to this statement in a X post on Sunday, Bilawal said: “Despite this admission from the rigging party, the [EC] has still failed to take action on our complaints from phase 1. Had they done so, the credibility of today’s phase 2 election would have been restored. “The PPP reserves the right to protest and demand re-election in phases where rigging took place, and the election commission failed to act. We have already sent multiple written complaints about ballot stuffing and illegal removal of our polling agents in today’s election. It is hoped the election commission acts swiftly and at least maintains fairness in round 2.” According to the sources, during meetings with the PML-N, PPP initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies — Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district during phase-I of the election. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin lost to PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Sharif family also held discussions at Jati Umra. According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held consultations with his elder brother and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to take stock of mounting political challenges, including the rift with the PPP over the AJK elections. A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the party leadership had taken serious note of the PPP chairman’s increasingly combative rhetoric against the Sharif family over the AJK polls and his warning that the PPP could reconsider its support for the federal government if the remaining phases of the elections were manipulated in favour of the PML-N. Election numbers According to the AJK Election Commission, 207 candidates are in the fray for the nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division, comprising five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. Another 137 candidates are contesting the 12 refugee constituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu. A total of 809,621 voters are registered in Muzaffarabad division, while the 12 refugee constituencies have a combined electorate of 438,834. According to the commission, 1,483 polling stations have been established across Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. Another 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the 12 refugee constituencies. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad and KP, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, about 27,000 registered male and female voters will elect lawmakers for LA-43 (Valley-IV), LA-44 (Valley-V), and LA-39 (Jammu-VI) seats. A total of 175 polling stations have been established, out of which 18 polling stations in Rawalpindi have been declared sensitive. A total of 34 candidates are in the fray. In Gujrat, almost 2,000 policemen will perform security duties at scores of polling stations for the LA-38 elections. The total number of polling stations in these districts is 115, with 75 in Gujrat, 24 in Wazirabad and 16 in Mandi Bahauddin. The total number of voters is 50,225 in the entire constituency. As many as 11 candidates are contesting this seat. In Sindh, officials said the elections will be conducted on LA-34 (Jammu-I) and LA-40 (Kashmir Valley-I) with polling stations established across Karachi and other districts of Sindh. In LA-34 (Jammu-I), a total of 17 candidates are contesting the election, which has 698 registered voters in Karachi’s seven districts and 477 voters in 13 other districts of Sindh. For LA-40 Kashmir (Valley-I), 11 candidates are in the race. The constituency has 4,200 registered voters in Karachi and 403 voters in 17 other districts of Sindh. In Balochistan, seven polling booths have been established across the province for the Kashmir Valley-I constituency, where 1,174 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. Balochistan shares this seat with Sindh. For the Jammu-I constituency, six polling booths have been set up, with a total of 182 registered voters, including 85 men and 97 women, eligible to vote. Polling stations have been established for AJK refugee voters residing in Balochistan at various locations, including Quetta, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Hub, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Zhob and Barkhan. In KP, 41 polling stations, mostly in Swat and Mansehra, have been set up for the LA-45 (Kashmir VI) seat. Additional input by Ameer Hamza
AJK seçimlerinin ikinci aşaması PPP'nin hile iddiaları gölgesinde tamamlandıSecond phase of AJK polls conclude amid renewed rigging allegations by PPP
The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections took place on Sunday, with polling held in eight out of the nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm for the refugee seats, while the process concluded at 6pm in Muzaffarabad after an hour-long extension. The electoral process in LA-27 (Muzaffarabad-I) was postponed due to heavy rain, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said, DawnNewsTV reported. Over 300 candidates were in the fray for the Muzaffarabad seats and the 12 seats for refugees settled in different regions. What has happened so far: Polling suspended in LA-27 due to rain; 4 other seats up for grabs in Muzaffarabad district, 2 each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley Voting underway across country for 12 refugee seats — 7 in Punjab, other 5 divided between different provinces Bilawal condemns ‘attack’ on party’s regional president, says PPP worker died in LA-31 PPP alleges electoral malpractices at some polling stations in at least 11 constituencies Continuing his rigging allegations, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday accused the PML-N of “robbing” votes in the second phase of the AJK elections as well. In a post on X later in the day, he condemned an “attack” on party’s regional president Chaudhry Latif Akbar — also the candidate for LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V). Accusing “miscreant elements of the PML-N” of being behind the incident, Bilawal said PPP worker Mushtaq Shah was killed in the same constituency. “The PML-N is robbing the votes of the people of Azad Kashmir through bullets, batons and coercion,” he alleged. The PPP chairman demanded that those responsible for the attack on Akbar and the “murderers” of the party worker be arrested immediately. In a separate statement, Bilawal said, “The PML-N has crossed all limits. Attacks are taking place on our voters and the president of the state (AJK).” He remarked that in Muzaffarabad, the PPP’s “politics of dignity and principles was in contest with the PML-N’s threat, rigging and coercion”. The PPP shared a complaint written to the Election Commission regarding a “physical assault” on Akbar. The party said the LA-31 candidate was “engaged in the electoral process on polling day” when the alleged incident took place, accusing three individuals. It said a first information report (FIR) was being registered and urged the Election Commission to order an inquiry into the “security lapse” that resulted in the incident. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who belongs to the PPP, took notice of the incident and ordered the chief secretary and the police chief to take those responsible to justice. The AJK PM termed the attack “a slap on the politics of dignity and principle in Kashmir”. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns, with the first set of polls held in Mirpur division on July 27, the second held today, and the third phase set for August 10 across Poonch division. Ahead of today’s elections, internet services were restored in parts of Muzaffarabad division after remaining suspended for 54 days on July 29. At the time, it was not clear whether the restoration covered the entire division or was limited to the state capital. Addressing the media on Sunday, the AJK CEC said that a letter had been written yesterday to request the restoration of internet services. He added that the outcome would be known today, without providing further details. “We will work according to the law; we will not come under pressure from anyone,” CEC Mughal said while responding to a question. PPP alleges electoral malpractices On Sunday, the PPP alleged electoral malpractices shortly after polling commenced, with several of the complaints claiming its polling agents at some stations were not allowed to observe the voting process. At 2pm, the party also wrote a separate letter to the Election Commission requesting follow-up on 25 complaints filed by it regarding 11 constituencies. The PPP said it had not received any formal written response or acknowledgement from the electoral watchdog on the status of any of the 25 complaints. “Given the gravity, number and geographical spread of the violations documented, the Party respectfully submits that a formal response from the Commission is now overdue and urgently required.” On the other hand, the PML-N’s social media posts revolved around voters across Muzaffarabad and Punjab showing up to cast ballots with “enthusiasm”. Several posts highlighted that a large number of voters were flocking to its election camps with those of other parties PML-N’s election camps with election camps of the PPP. The PML-N also wrote to the Election Commission in response to a PPP complaint about LA-40 (Valley-I), terming the latter’s allegations against its candidate Muhammad Naeem Khan as “baseless”. In the letter, seen by Dawn, the PML-N asserted that the allegations “regarding administrative failures are unsubstantiated and appear to be an attempt to create unnecessary controversy around the polling process”. The PML-N urged the electoral watchdog to ensure that “no misleading or politically motivated complaint is allowed to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the polling”. ‘Ballot stuffing’ At a polling station in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI), the PPP accused PML-N supporters of “ballot stuffing”. It further said that a government employee had been deployed as a polling agent for the PML-N at a separate polling station. In LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV), the PPP claimed PML-N workers removed a ballot box at the Banaw Langah polling station and placed it outside, where they were allegedly “stamping ballot papers”. In Charakhpora Union Council of LA-31 (Muzaffarabad-V), the PPP said “bogus voting” was taking place at the Sharik Kamal Bandi-Khalsa polling station. The party said the alleged act “directly subverts the integrity of the poll”, adding that the polling station also did not have adequate security despite being declared “sensitive”. The PPP also alleged a PML-N MPA at a polling station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Abbottabad of obstructing the voting process for the refugee seat of LA-45 (Kashmir-VI). In LA-25 (Neelum-I), the PPP said the voting process at a polling station had been halted after reports emerged of PML-N supporters tearing up ballot papers. The PPP also said its polling agents at a polling station in LA-25’s Khawaja Sari reported that “fraudulent votes are being cast” there. It urged the Election Commission to dispatch officials and law enforcement to halt the alleged action. ‘Polling agents excluded’ The party alleged that its polling agents were not allowed to sit at polling stations for refugee seat LA-34 (Jammu-I) in Cantonment and Lahore’s Sheranwala Gate, calling on the Election Commission to intervene. The PPP wrote to the electoral watchdog about a similar complaint emerging from a polling station in Janabad, Sargodha, for LA-34. Sharing another letter addressed to the Election Commission about LA-34, the PPP said “elected members” of the PML-N were present inside a Pakpattan polling station and “stamping ballot papers”. It further claimed that its polling agent was “barred from entering the same polling station”. “The deliberate exclusion of the PPP’s oversight representative while PML-N’s own elected officials conduct fraud inside the station is not a coincidence — it is a coordinated strategy to commit electoral fraud without any independent witness,” it alleged. The party urged the electoral watchdog to dispatch law enforcement to the polling station and remove the PML-N supporters allegedly involved in “ballot stuffing”. Regarding LA-42 (Valley-III), the PPP filed a complaint over party candidate Asim Sharif Butt’s polling agent being “physically prevented” from entering a polling station in Muzaffargarh’s Alipur Tehsil. The PPP also claimed its polling agents at three polling stations in LA-30 (Muzaffarabad-IV) were denied from observing the electoral process. Similarly, the party said polling agents of candidate Ishfaq Zaffar were not permitted to take their seats at three polling stations in LA-32 (Muzaffarabad-VI). Terming it a “serious violation” of the electoral code of conduct, the PPP sought disciplinary action against the presiding officers who allegedly refused the agents from discharging their duties. At one of those polling stations, the PPP claimed a “violent confrontation” was underway between supporters of PML-N candidate Raja Farooq Haider and PPP supporters. Other issues In a separate statement in the morning, the party claimed that no polling staff was present at any of the 196 polling stations in LA-27, adding that this raised the concern that there was a “deliberate” attempt to delay the polling. Similarly, the party alleged that polling staff had reached late at 71 polling stations of LA-28, due to which the voting process was facing delays. The PPP claimed that a similar situation was being witnessed at several polling stations of LA-30, where polling staff had not arrived on time. Regarding LA-31, the PPP said it had written to the Election Commission on behalf of its candidate Akbar, urging it to take action over difficulties faced by voters due to the closure of the Rangla-Katkair Road in Muzaffarabad. The party said over 50 vehicles carrying voters were stuck due to the road’s closure. PML-N slams ‘blame game’ Earlier in the day, PML-N leader and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam called on political parties not to indulge in a “blame game”. “Nothing is to be gained from a blame game,” he said during a press conference in Islamabad, adding that law enforcement personnel were also deployed to ensure security. “They should not act in a manner that ‘why was I not given seats’,” Muqam said, stressing that it was the public whose votes allocate seats. The minister urged all political parties to let the electoral process take place in a peaceful manner, stressing that making allegations without evidence cannot change the results. At the same time, Muqam also highlighted “arbitrary transfers and administrative decisions” in AJK, where the PPP is in power. He said the moves “seemed discriminatory”. He recalled that the PML-N had accepted the results of elections in Gilgit-Baltistan held in June, where the PPP emerged the winner and formed the government. Defending the results from Mirpur, Muqam asserted that the people voted for PML-N due to its performance. On the other hand, PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan also held a press conference where he called on the Election Commission to play its role in “proving” the election process in AJK to be free and fair. “Azad Kashmir is an international issue … people’s eyes are on it,” the former MNA said, adding that if the commission did not recognise the public and assure a free election, “tomorrow we will not be able to ratify this election under any circumstance”. He recalled that after the Mirpur polls, there was a detailed discussion within the party about boycotting the second and third phases. However, the party leadership refused the idea of a boycott. Chan cautioned that if the PPP was “compelled” to move towards such steps for the third phase, it would benefit those who wanted to prove the election “dirty”. “I see this becoming an ultra Form-47 election,” he said. He said that in negotiations in Muzaffarabad, the PPP had provided proof of rigging in four constituencies, as well as agreeing to hold re-polling in any other constituencies in which there were objections. He also called for a benchmark for voting, saying, “General polling was less than 30 per cent. But wherever you won, it was 80pc, 90pc, 75pc … this doesn’t even happen in urban cities like Islamabad and Lahore.” ‘Admission of rigging’ The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging had marred the polls in Mirpur, with the PML-N and PPP accusing each other of electoral malpractice. To defuse the tensions, senior leaders of both parties met multiple times in Azad Kashmir over the weekend to “explore a legal resolution” to the dispute. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings on Thursday and Friday. A PML-N source told Dawn that discussions focused on the PPP’s allegations and its demand for re-polling in certain constituencies. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” the source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. Referring to this statement in a X post on Sunday, Bilawal said: “Despite this admission from the rigging party, the [EC] has still failed to take action on our complaints from phase 1. Had they done so, the credibility of today’s phase 2 election would have been restored. “The PPP reserves the right to protest and demand re-election in phases where rigging took place, and the election commission failed to act. We have already sent multiple written complaints about ballot stuffing and illegal removal of our polling agents in today’s election. It is hoped the election commission acts swiftly and at least maintains fairness in round 2.” According to the sources, during meetings with the PML-N, PPP initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies — Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district during phase-I of the election. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin lost to PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Sharif family also held discussions at Jati Umra. According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held consultations with his elder brother and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to take stock of mounting political challenges, including the rift with the PPP over the AJK elections. A senior PML-N leader told Dawn that the party leadership had taken serious note of the PPP chairman’s increasingly combative rhetoric against the Sharif family over the AJK polls and his warning that the PPP could reconsider its support for the federal government if the remaining phases of the elections were manipulated in favour of the PML-N. Election numbers According to the AJK Election Commission, 207 candidates are in the fray for the nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad division, comprising five seats in Muzaffarabad district and two each in Neelum and Jhelum Valley districts. Another 137 candidates are contesting the 12 refugee constituencies, including six seats representing refugees from the Kashmir Valley and six from Jammu. A total of 809,621 voters are registered in Muzaffarabad division, while the 12 refugee constituencies have a combined electorate of 438,834. According to the commission, 1,483 polling stations have been established across Muzaffarabad division, of which 533 have been declared highly sensitive, 741 sensitive and 209 normal. Another 1,057 polling stations have been set up for the 12 refugee constituencies. Out of 12 refugee seats, seven seats are in Punjab, one seat is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one seat (Jammu-VI) is divided between Punjab, Islamabad and KP, one seat is divided between Sindh and Balochistan (Valley-I), and one seat (Jammu-I) is shared among refugees living in Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Valley-V seat is divided between Punjab and Islamabad. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, about 27,000 registered male and female voters will elect lawmakers for LA-43 (Valley-IV), LA-44 (Valley-V), and LA-39 (Jammu-VI) seats. A total of 175 polling stations have been established, out of which 18 polling stations in Rawalpindi have been declared sensitive. A total of 34 candidates are in the fray. In Gujrat, almost 2,000 policemen will perform security duties at scores of polling stations for the LA-38 elections. The total number of polling stations in these districts is 115, with 75 in Gujrat, 24 in Wazirabad and 16 in Mandi Bahauddin. The total number of voters is 50,225 in the entire constituency. As many as 11 candidates are contesting this seat. In Sindh, officials said the elections will be conducted on LA-34 (Jammu-I) and LA-40 (Kashmir Valley-I) with polling stations established across Karachi and other districts of Sindh. In LA-34 (Jammu-I), a total of 17 candidates are contesting the election, which has 698 registered voters in Karachi’s seven districts and 477 voters in 13 other districts of Sindh. For LA-40 Kashmir (Valley-I), 11 candidates are in the race. The constituency has 4,200 registered voters in Karachi and 403 voters in 17 other districts of Sindh. In Balochistan, seven polling booths have been established across the province for the Kashmir Valley-I constituency, where 1,174 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots. Balochistan shares this seat with Sindh. For the Jammu-I constituency, six polling booths have been set up, with a total of 182 registered voters, including 85 men and 97 women, eligible to vote. Polling stations have been established for AJK refugee voters residing in Balochistan at various locations, including Quetta, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Hub, Loralai, Sibi, Mastung, Zhob and Barkhan. In KP, 41 polling stations, mostly in Swat and Mansehra, have been set up for the LA-45 (Kashmir VI) seat. Additional input from Ameer Hamza and Mohammad Asghar
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PML-N, PPP leaders resume talks to ease tensions over AJK polls
MUZAFFARABAD: Senior leaders of the PML-N and PPP on Saturday resumed talks aimed at defusing tensions between the two parties following the latter’s allegations of rigging in four of the 13 constituencies in Mirpur division during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The PPP and the PML-N — coalition partners in the Centre — have been engaged in a war of words since the PML-N emerged in the lead during the first phase of polls. The PPP has accused the PML-N of rigging in Mirpur and demanded re-polling. The latest round of talks followed two earlier meetings — the first at a local hotel on Thursday night and the second before noon on Friday. The PML-N delegation comprised Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, and PML-N AJK chapter secretary general and MLA-elect Chaudhry Tariq Farooq. Representing the PPP were former Senate chairman Nayyar Bokhari, former federal minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who also serves as secretary general of the party’s AJK chapter. PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan attended the Friday meeting but was absent from today’s session. The meetings reviewed security arrangements ahead of the second phase of polling on Sunday. Both sides agreed that the Election Commission, as well as the divisional and district administrations, should leave no room for lapses in ensuring extraordinary security measures so that voters could exercise their franchise freely. According to sources, the discussions also focused on the PPP’s allegations of rigging and its subsequent demand for repolling in certain constituencies. The PPP was told that neither the government nor any institution had facilitated or backed rigging and that, if irregularities had occurred at any polling station, they were localised incidents rather than the result of any organised plan. “It was not planned or pre-planned rigging but isolated acts at places where supporters of one candidate enjoyed numerical dominance over their opponents. Such incidents have unfortunately been part of the territory’s polling atmosphere and have also been witnessed in previous elections,” a source quoted the PML-N leaders as telling their counterparts. The PML-N leadership maintained that, unlike the PPP, it had begun election preparations well in advance and had enforced greater organisational discipline through constituency-level planning. The PPP, they claimed, had remained under the impression that the elections would be delayed by a year and that the 12 refugee constituencies would be abolished, which prevented it from focusing on electoral preparations in time. The meeting also discussed ways to address the complaints through both political dialogue and legal channels, the source said. According to the sources, the PPP had initially raised objections to the results in four constituencies: Charhoi, Sehnsa and Nakyal in Kotli district, and Barnala in Bhimber district. However, it later withdrew its allegations regarding Sehnsa and Barnala. Saturday’s discussions centred on Charhoi, where PPP AJK president Chaudhry Yasin lost to the PML-N’s Raja Riasat, and Nakyal, where PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi was defeated by the PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed. The sources said the PML-N had presented a detailed analysis of the results, showing that while its candidates had secured more than 80 per cent of the votes at some polling stations, the PPP had also won more than 80pc of the votes at others. “If any irregularities occurred, they occurred on both sides, and a mechanism has been discussed to address them, legally and politically,” said a PML-N leader. The meeting tasked both regional secretary generals — Rathore and Farooq — with contacting the Election Commission to explore a legal resolution to the dispute. Another meeting had been scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but it could not be held because Sanaullah and Muqam had to leave for Islamabad owing to urgent engagements. Both parties traded barbs earlier this week after the conclusion of the first phase of elections in AJK, with the PPP chairman alleging rigging in the polls and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz urging the PPP to accept defeat. The PML-N grabbed nine out of the 13 constituencies of AJK’s Mirpur division in the elections. In a televised statement, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz hailed the “outstanding victory” of the PML-N in the first phase of the AJK elections, urging the PPP to accept defeat. “The PPP should have accepted its defeat by affirming the spirit of democracy, but I felt aggrieved by the kind of words used by PPP leaders.” “The state does not decide election results; only the people make this decision,” she said in response to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s allegations. On Thursday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned that a stolen election in AJK would start a “countdown” for the federal government. “If you steal [the election] … write it down, take my guarantee, that a countdown will start for your federal government,” he warned. “If you steal my mandate, I will come for your throne.”
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Close contest sees ‘N’ take the lead in Mirpur polls
• One seat still contested; unofficial results show PML-N on top in seven constituencies; PPP ahead in five • One killed, two injured in Nakyal violence • PPP alleges ‘rigging, ballot stuffing’ by ‘N’ candidates in Kotli • TTAP says electoral process failed to inspire ‘public confidence’ • PTI insists ‘minimal’ voter turnout reflects ‘discontent’ MIRPUR: Scuffles, violence and allegations of rigging marred the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections on Monday, as polling concluded in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division with the PML-N seemingly in command, taking the lead on seven seats against the PPP’s five. According to unofficial and unverified results available at the time of going to press, the PML-N appeared to have swept all three seats in Bhimber district, claimed two out of four constituencies in Mirpur district and three out of six in Kotli district. At a late-night presser, Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced the official result for LA-1 (Mirpur-I). The CEC said PML-N’s Azhar Sadiq was successful with 15,427 votes, while his opponent Muhammad Afzal Shahid trailed with 9,832 votes. The rest of the results were in the pipeline, he said, adding that they would be released in due course. In Mirpur district, Chaudhry Rukhsar was leading in Kharri Sharif, while the PPP’s Yasir Sultan was winning in Mirpur city. Meanwhile, incumbent PPP Finance Minister Qasim Majeed retained the Chakswari seat. In Bhimber district, PML-N’s Chaudhry Tariq Farooq led former AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq by a comfortable margin, while Waqar Ahmed Noor and Chaudhry Razzaq also had a comfortable lead in their respective constituencies. Kotli district saw a 4-2 split, with the PPP’s Zafar Iqbal Malik ahead in LA-8 (Kotli-I), party president Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin comfortably ahead in both LA-10 (Kotli-III) and LA-12 (Kotli-V). The LA-11 (Kotli-IV) constituency was closely contested between PPP’s Chaudhry Akhlaq and PML-N’s Raja Asif, with no clear winner emerging overnight. Meanwhile, the PML-N was leading on two seats, with Sardar Umair Naeem ahead in LA-9 (Kotli-II), and Raja Ijaz Ahmed set to clinch LA-13 (Kotli-VI). In his remarks, the chief election commissioner termed these polls “the most difficult” in the history of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, for reasons that “everyone is aware of”. While one or two isolated incidents do occur during elections, political parties often misrepresent them by blowing those occurrences out of proportion, without investigating them, he said. CEC Mughal said that a presiding officer and his attached patwari, who were said to have gone into a private Kotli residence along with the election materials, were arrested and replaced with fresh personnel, and the polling material was recovered. He also referred to a constituency in Raj Mahal where polling could not be held due to a disturbance, as well as the death of a political worker in Nakyal. However, he insisted the polling process was completed smoothly, despite the tragedy. Polling and violence Polling began at 8am and continued until 6pm across the three districts of Mirpur division — Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli — after voting hours were extended by one hour. A total of 288 candidates contested the 13 seats, although the principal contest was between the ruling PML-N and the PPP. According to the Election Commission, voting was held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared highly sensitive and 724 sensitive. In Mirpur city, voter turnout remained sluggish during the morning, with polling officials attributing it to the hot and humid weather and the tendency of urban voters to head to polling stations later in the day. “Firstly, it’s hot and humid, and secondly, many urban voters wake up late on a holiday,” a polling agent said. Officials said turnout was noticeably higher in rural and peripheral areas. While minor scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers were reported in Kotli district earlier in the day, polling turned violent in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal) in the afternoon. In a post on X, the PPP claimed that its worker, Mukhtar Younus, was killed during “incidents of display of arms and public harassment” by supporters of their rival candidate. Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz confirmed that one man was killed and two others, including the deceased’s father, were injured in the incident. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also condemned the killing, alleging that Younus had been killed in firing by Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. Elsewhere, supporters of Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni allegedly snatched ballot boxes from a polling station in LA-6 (Samahni), according to the Mirpur commissioner. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show armed men firing during the disturbance. Speaking to party workers in Muzaffarabad, Bhutto-Zardari urged that the elections remain transparent and credible, saying only an assembly elected through a genuine mandate could address the region’s challenges. “We all want to bring stability back to AJK; the first step towards bringing stability is to ensure free and fair elections,” he said, adding that the electoral process had already become “a bit controversial”, including over the unresolved issue of refugee constituencies. Rigging allegations Meanwhile, the PPP also accused the PML-N of widespread electoral malpractice. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PPP Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan alleged that PML-N candidates were involved in ballot stuffing and rigging in Kotli. He also accused the ruling party of attempting to influence voters by announcing the gift of 10 electric buses for AJK ahead of the elections. Sindh minister Saeed Ghani alleged that PML-N workers had opened fire during the election campaign, injuring several PPP supporters, and criticised what he described as the Election Commission’s ineffective oversight. Separately, the Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) expressed concern over the conduct of the elections, alleging that the process had failed to inspire public confidence and citing reports of low voter participation in several areas. The opposition alliance announced that it would launch a nationwide movement from Aug 5 focusing on the constitutional rights of former prime minister Imran Khan and the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of AJK. The PTI also questioned the credibility of the electoral process, reiterating that it had boycotted the elections because prevailing conditions did not allow free, fair and transparent polling. It alleged that voter turnout had remained low, while the PML-N and PPP were more interested in sharing power than addressing the public’s concerns, adding that elections lacking transparency and meaningful political competition could neither strengthen democracy nor reflect the true public mandate. Irfan Sadozai, Syed Irfan Raza and Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad also contributed to this report Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026
Mirpur seçimlerinde PML-N önde, şiddet ve hile iddiaları gölge düşürdüPolling concludes in Mirpur division as scuffles, rigging allegations mar first phase of AJK elections
Scuffles and rigging allegations marred the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections as polling concluded in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division on Monday. Polling began at 8am and concluded at 6pm across all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division after a one-hour extension. While minor skirmishes and scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers in Kotli district were reported earlier in the day, the electoral process took a violent turn in the afternoon in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal). In a statement on X, the PPP claimed that party worker Mukhtar Younus “died during incidents of display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem”. PPP AJK Election Cell Incharge Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that all those involved in the incident be immediately arrested, law and order be restored, and the safety of voters’ lives and property be ensured. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his grief over the death, saying he received reports that Younus has been killed “in firing by” PML-N’s Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. He said a video had emerged two days ago of Naeem and his companions “firing in public”, adding that there would not have been a loss of life if the relevant authorities had taken notice of the video back then. Bilawal noted that Younus had been running an election campaign with party candidate Javed Budhanvi. The PPP chairman alleged last week that a criminal case registered against Budhanvi was politically motivated. Earlier in the day, the electoral process at three polling stations in Kotli and two in Bhimber district was suspended for the rest of the day due to polling-related incidents. Repolling would depend upon if the total number of votes casted impacted the results. Both the PPP and PML-N — allies in the Centre but face to face in the AJK polls — accused the other of rigging in multiple constituencies of Kotli. In a post on X, the PPP urged the Election Commission to take notice of the PML-N’s alleged “attempts to influence polling” in Union Council Throchi of the LA-12 constituency (Kotli-V), where Yasin is the PPP candidate. Shakoor, the PPP’s election cell head, said that PML-N candidate Raja Riasat Khan allegedly entered “polling stations along with armed men and is trying to influence the polling process” in the constituency where the PPP AJK president is contesting. Shakoor further said that “slow mobile phone service” was creating difficulties in communication for residents, the media and rescue authorities. The PPP urged the Election Commission to ensure security at polling stations and an “independent, just and peaceful electoral environment”. The PPP also accused the PML-N of “interfering in the polling process” in the LA-8 constituency of Kotli. The party alleged in a post on X that the PML-N was trying to interfere in and disrupt the polling process at the Raj Mahal polling station. The PPP demanded that the Election Commission take notice of the matter, ensure fair, transparent and peaceful polling, and take action against those violating the election code of conduct. In Bhimber district’s Samahni tehsil, supporters of Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni took away ballot boxes from a polling station, according to the Mirpur divisional commissioner. PMLN senior leader Raja Azhar Iqbal said the polling station accounted for more than 500 votes and that they had lodged a written complaint with the district returning officer (DRO). Individuals affiliated with Soni also set fire to a ballot box at another polling station, following which police took 30 people into custody in connection with the incident, Commissioner Mumtaz said. Today (Monday) had been declared a public holiday in all three districts of Mirpur to facilitate polling. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. FIR filed against 2 presiding officers in LA-10 Ahead of the voting, the PML-N alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaiser and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement by the Election Commission said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. The Election Commission said “both presiding officers” were arrested and suspended from their duties, and legal action was being initiated against them under the law. A statement by the Press Information Department said two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations, after confiscating the polling material provided to the apprehended officials. However, a first information report (FIR) filed about the incident named three presiding officers. The FIR was registered on Sunday night at City Police Station Kotli under provisions of the local election act and penal code. It said patwari Qaiser Ali, government school instructor Saqib Faryad, and college lecturer for physics Mazahir Aslam were supposed to be deployed at separate polling stations assigned to them. However, they collected polling material from the RO office and stayed at the residence of another individual “on the suggestion of” Qaiser. The FIR noted that “other political parties protested strongly” over the development and asserted that the action amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s provision of e-buses to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad over the past few days. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Security beefed up A total of 288 candidates contested today’s election. According to the Election Commission, votes were to be cast at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared “highly sensitive” and 724 “sensitive”. Election monitoring was organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed under a three-tier security plan. Under the arrangement, police provided the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel were also to be deployed, while Quick Response Force (QRF) teams were to remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Earlier in the day, the Mirpur commissioner visited various polling stations and noted that the electoral process was underway across the division with the “security apparatus in place”. Speaking to the media in the afternoon, AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said the polling process was underway in a largely peaceful manner. Addressing the “one or two incidents” reported, he said minor scuffles were a “part of political activity”. The police chief said some verbal arguments could occur as “temperatures are usually high” at some of the 2,316 polling stations where a close competition is expected. IGP Malik noted that the police’s responsibility was to perform their duties in a “neutral, transparent and unbiased” manner. Asked about an incident in LA-6 and a fire at a polling station in Bhimber, he said QRF teams stationed nearby responded. The police chief further asserted that legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt polling regardless of their political affiliation. He reiterated that such scuffles “routinely take place during such a process”. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan casts his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. — photo via Tariq Naqash On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. Bilawal and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead-up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
PPP: AJK Seçimlerinde Arbede ve Hile İddiaları Arasında İşçi Hayatını KaybettiPerson dies in Mirpur's Kotli as scuffles, rigging allegations mar first phase of AJK elections
A person, whom the PPP said was its political worker, died in Kotli district’s Nakyal tehsil as the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was underway in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division on Monday. Polling began at 8am and was to conclude at 5pm. However, Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan said the time was extended till 6pm across all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division. While some skirmishes and scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers in Kotli district were reported earlier in the day, the electoral process took a violent turn in the afternoon in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal). In a statement on X, the PPP claimed that party worker Mukhtar Younus “died during incidents of display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem”. PPP AJK Election Cell Incharge Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that all those involved in the incident be immediately arrested, law and order be restored, and the safety of voters’ lives and property be ensured. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his grief over the death, saying he received reports that Younus has been killed “in firing by” PML-N’s Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. He said a video had emerged two days ago of Naeem and his companions “firing in public”, adding that there would not have been a loss of life if the relevant authorities had taken notice of the video back then. Bilawal noted that Younus had been running an election campaign with party candidate Javed Budhanvi. The PPP chairman alleged last week that a criminal case registered against Budhanvi was politically motivated. Earlier in the day, polling at certain stations in Kotli district was briefly suspended due to heated exchanges between workers and supporters of the PPP and PML-N. Both parties — allies in the Centre but face to face in the AJK polls — have accused the other of rigging in multiple constituencies in Kotli. In a post on X, the PPP urged the Election Commission to take notice of the PML-N’s alleged “attempts to influence polling” in Union Council Throchi of the LA-12 constituency (Kotli-V), where Yasin is the PPP candidate. Shakoor, the PPP’s election cell head, said that PML-N candidate Raja Riasat Khan allegedly entered “polling stations along with armed men and is trying to influence the polling process” in the constituency where the PPP AJK president is contesting. Shakoor further said that “slow mobile phone service” was creating difficulties in communication for residents, the media and rescue authorities. The PPP urged the Election Commission to ensure security at polling stations and an “independent, just and peaceful electoral environment”. The PPP also accused the PML-N of “interfering in the polling process” in the LA-8 constituency of Kotli. The party alleged in a post on X that the PML-N was trying to interfere in and disrupt the polling process at the Raj Mahal polling station. The PPP demanded that the Election Commission take notice of the matter, ensure fair, transparent and peaceful polling, and take action against those violating the election code of conduct. In Bhimber district, the PML-N accused Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni of barging into the Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station and burning ballot papers. PMLN senior leader Raja Azhar Iqbal said the polling station accounted for more than 500 votes and that they have lodged a written complaint with the district returning officer (DRO). Police said they were investigating the incident. Today (Monday) had been declared a public holiday in all three districts of Mirpur to facilitate polling. FIR filed against 2 presiding officers in LA-10 Ahead of the voting, the PML-N alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaiser and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement by the Election Commission said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. The Election Commission said “both presiding officers” were arrested and suspended from their duties, and legal action was being initiated against them under the law. A statement by the Press Information Department said two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations, after confiscating the polling material provided to the apprehended officials. However, a first information report (FIR) filed about the incident named three presiding officers. The FIR was registered on Sunday night at City Police Station Kotli under provisions of the local election act and penal code. It said patwari Qaiser Ali, government school instructor Saqib Faryad, and college lecturer for physics Mazahir Aslam were supposed to be deployed at separate polling stations assigned to them. However, they collected polling material from the RO office and stayed at the residence of another individual “on the suggestion of” Qaiser. The FIR noted that “other political parties protested strongly” over the development and asserted that the action amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s provision of e-buses to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad over the past few days. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Security beefed up A total of 288 candidates contested today’s election. According to the Election Commission, votes were to be cast at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared “highly sensitive” and 724 “sensitive”. Election monitoring was organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed under a three-tier security plan. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police provided the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel were also to be deployed, while Quick Response Force (QRF) teams were to remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Earlier in the day, the Mirpur commissioner visited various polling stations and noted that the electoral process was underway across the division with the “security apparatus in place”. Speaking to the media in the afternoon, AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said the polling process was underway in a largely peaceful manner. Addressing the “one or two incidents” reported, he said minor scuffles were a “part of political activity”. The police chief said some verbal arguments could occur as “temperatures are usually high” at some of the 2,316 polling stations where a close competition is expected. IGP Malik noted that the police’s responsibility was to perform their duties in a “neutral, transparent and unbiased” manner. Asked about an incident in LA-6 and a fire at a polling station in Bhimber, he said QRF teams stationed nearby responded. The police chief further asserted that legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt polling regardless of their political affiliation. He reiterated that such scuffles “routinely take place during such a process”. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan casts his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. — photo via Tariq Naqash On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. Bilawal and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead-up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
PPP: AJK Seçimlerinde Arbede ve Hile İddiaları Arasında İşçi Hayatını KaybettiPPP says worker died in Mirpur's Kotli as scuffles, rigging allegations mar first phase of AJK elections
The PPP on Monday claimed that its worker died during electoral violence in Kotli district’s Nakyal tehsil as the first phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was underway in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) had been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. While some skirmishes and scuffles between PPP and PML-N workers in Kotli district were reported earlier in the day, the electoral process took a violent turn in the afternoon in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal). In a statement on X, the PPP claimed that party worker Mukhtar Younus “died during incidents of display of arms and public harassment by PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem”. PPP AJK Election Cell Incharge Sardar Abdul Shakoor demanded that all those involved in the incident be immediately arrested, law and order be restored, and the safety of voters’ lives and property be ensured. Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his grief over the death, saying he received reports that Younus has been killed “in firing by” PML-N’s Naeem. “My worker has been martyred in Mirpur’s Nakyal. Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing?” he asked in a statement. He said a video had emerged two days ago of Naeem and his companions “firing in public”, adding that there would not have been a loss of life if the relevant authorities had taken notice of the video back then. Bilawal noted that Younus had been running an election campaign with party candidate Javed Budhanvi. The PPP chairman alleged last week that a criminal case registered against Budhanvi was politically motivated. Earlier in the day, polling at certain stations in Kotli district was briefly suspended due to heated exchanges between workers and supporters of the PPP and PML-N. Both parties — allies in the Centre but face to face in the AJK polls — have accused the other of rigging in multiple constituencies in Kotli. In a post on X, the PPP urged the Election Commission to take notice of the PML-N’s alleged “attempts to influence polling” in Union Council Throchi of the LA-12 constituency (Kotli-V), where Yasin is the PPP candidate. Shakoor, the PPP’s election cell head, said that PML-N candidate Raja Riasat Khan allegedly entered “polling stations along with armed men and is trying to influence the polling process” in the constituency where the PPP AJK president is contesting. Shakoor further said that “slow mobile phone service” was creating difficulties in communication for residents, the media and rescue authorities. The PPP urged the Election Commission to ensure security at polling stations and an “independent, just and peaceful electoral environment”. The PPP also accused the PML-N of “interfering in the polling process” in the LA-8 constituency of Kotli. The party alleged in a post on X that the PML-N was trying to interfere in and disrupt the polling process at the Raj Mahal polling station. The PPP demanded that the Election Commission take notice of the matter, ensure fair, transparent and peaceful polling, and take action against those violating the election code of conduct. FIR filed against 2 presiding officers in LA-10 Ahead of the voting, the PML-N alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaiser and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement by the Election Commission said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. The Election Commission said “both presiding officers” were arrested and suspended from their duties, and legal action was being initiated against them under the law. A statement by the Press Information Department said two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations, after confiscating the polling material provided to the apprehended officials. However, a first information report (FIR) filed about the incident named three presiding officers. The FIR was registered on Sunday night at City Police Station Kotli under provisions of the local election act and penal code. It said patwari Qaiser Ali, government school instructor Saqib Faryad, and college lecturer for physics Mazahir Aslam were supposed to be deployed at separate polling stations assigned to them. However, they collected polling material from the RO office and stayed at the residence of another individual “on the suggestion of” Qaiser. The FIR noted that “other political parties protested strongly” over the development and asserted that the action amounted to a violation of the electoral code of conduct. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s provision of e-buses to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad over the past few days. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Security beefed up A total of 288 candidates contested today’s election. According to the Election Commission, votes were to be cast at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 were declared “highly sensitive” and 724 “sensitive”. Election monitoring was organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed under a three-tier security plan. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police provided the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel were also to be deployed, while Quick Response Force (QRF) teams were to remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Earlier in the day, Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan visited various polling stations and noted that the electoral process was underway across the division with the “security apparatus in place”. Speaking to the media in the afternoon, AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Captain Liaqat Ali Malik said the polling process was underway in a largely peaceful manner. Addressing the “one or two incidents” reported, he said minor scuffles were a “part of political activity”. The police chief said some verbal arguments could occur as “temperatures are usually high” at some of the 2,316 polling stations where a close competition is expected. IGP Malik noted that the police’s responsibility was to perform their duties in a “neutral, transparent and unbiased” manner. Asked about an incident in LA-6 and a fire at a polling station in Bhimber, he said QRF teams stationed nearby responded. The police chief further asserted that legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt polling regardless of their political affiliation. He reiterated that such scuffles “routinely take place during such a process”. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan cast his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. AJK Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan casts his ballot at a polling station in Bhimber’s Samahni tehsil. — photo via Tariq Naqash On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. Bilawal and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead-up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
PPP: AJK Seçimlerinde Arbede ve Hile İddiaları Arasında İşçi Hayatını Kaybetti- İnsani27 Tem
Hong Kong High Court judge Wilson Chan told to retire over repeated plagiarism
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung has told a Hong Kong High Court judge to retire early after reprimanding him for plagiarising submissions in a judgment, describing a series of such incidents as undermining public confidence. The city’s top judge said on Monday that Wilson Chan Ka-shun’s repeated judicial plagiarism had adversely affected the interests of the parties concerned, imposed an unnecessary burden on appellate judicial resources and undermined public confidence in his ability to...
First phase of AJK polls underway in Mirpur division amid allegations of rigging
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. Rigging allegations As polling was under way on Monday, the PML-N alleged rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded the AJK government and the AJK prime minister arrest a patwari he identified as Qaisar and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement released by the Press Information Department late on Sunday said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. “When the incident was reported, the returning officer issued directives to confiscate the polling material provided to the two presiding officers and replace them. “The returning officer took the polling material into his custody, removed the presiding officers from their duties and had them arrested,” the statement said. It added that action was being taken against them according to the law while two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s announcement of e-buses for AJK and their subsequent arrival in Muzaffarabad last week. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards.
First phase of AJK polls begins in Mirpur division amid allegations of rigging
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. Rigging allegations While the polling was under way on Monday, the PML-N alleged rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded from the AJK government and the AJK prime minister to arrest a patwari he identified as Qaisar and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement released by the Press Information Department late on Sunday said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. “When the incident was reported, the returning officer issued directives to confiscate the polling material provided to the two presiding officers and replace them. “The returning officer took the polling material into his custody, removed the presiding officers from their duties and had them arrested,” the statement said. It added that action was being taken against them according to the law while two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s announcement of e-buses for AJK and their subsequent arrival in Muzaffarabad last week. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Specifically addressing allegations in Kotli, he explained that polling staff would stay at someone’s residence. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards.
First phase of AJK polls begins in Mirpur division; PML-N alleges rigging in Kotli's LA-10 constituency
The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have begun in the 13 constituencies of Mirpur division. Polling began at 8am and will continue till 5pm. Today (Monday) has been declared a public holiday in all three districts — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — of the division to facilitate polling. A total of 288 candidates are contesting today’s election. According to the Election Commission, polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and 724 ‘sensitive’. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. A voter casts his vote at a polling station in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Polls in AJK are being held in three phases over security concerns. The second and third phases are scheduled for August 2 and August 10 in nine constituencies of Muzaffarabad division and all 12 refugee constituencies, and 11 constituencies of Poonch division, respectively. CEC urges citizens to vote, warns against disrupting polls On Sunday, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal urged more than 1.4 million registered voters to turn out in large numbers to elect their representatives. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face strict legal action. Voting under way at a polling station in Kot Jamil, Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir on July 27, in the first phase of general elections in AJK. — Photo provided by author The warning followed the announcement by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on the social media about a planned long march from Mirpur division towards Muzaffarabad on Sunday. A core member of the JAAC, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, had claimed that caravans would converge at the Rawalakot sit-in, before marching towards Muzaffarabad after Zuhr prayers on the election day. However, when Mirpur DIG police was asked about the protest call given by the banned outfit, the official told Dawn on Sunday evening that not a single person had turned up anywhere to participate in any Rawalakot-bound rally. Meanwhile, AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan also warned of strict legal action against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order afterwards. Rigging allegations While the polling was under way on Monday, the PML-N alleged rigging in Kotli’s LA-10 constituency. Rana Sanaullah, who is also the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs, alleged that PPP President in AJK Chaudhry Yasin was involved in election rigging and that presiding officers involved in the act had been apprehended. In an audio clip played on Geo News, he also demanded from the AJK government and the AJK prime minister to arrest a patwari he identified as Qaisar and interrogate him on the matter to locate others involved in the alleged rigging. Sanaullah said the election results in the constituency would not be acceptable to his party until the completion of this “inquiry”. While there was no official statement from the AJK government explicitly referring to the incident, a statement released by the Press Information Department late on Sunday said two presiding officers in Kotli had been arrested after it was reported that instead of reaching the relevant polling stations they had gone to “a residence”. “When the incident was reported, the returning officer issued directives to confiscate the polling material provided to the two presiding officers and replace them. “The returning officer took the polling material into his custody, removed the presiding officers from their duties and had them arrested,” the statement said. It added that action was being taken against them according to the law while two new presiding officers had been deployed in their place at the relevant polling stations. For his part, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan responded to Sanaullah’s allegation in a video statement, saying that his party had been pointing out from “day one that you have been announcing projects [in AJK] and your federal ministers are present at government offices on the day of polling”. “So our first demand is that the federal government’s machinery should not interfere [in the elections] at all,” he said, further referring to the PML-N’s announcement of e-buses for AJK and their subsequent arrival in Muzaffarabad last week. He also alleged the use of government resources in elections, demanding an end to it. Specifically addressing allegations in Kotli, he explained that polling staff would stay at someone’s residence. Chan stressed the need for fair and transparent elections, saying: “We will not let rigging happen at any cost. Have some patience and let people cast their vote.” Bilawal vs Nawaz The PPP and PML-N, which are allies in the Centre, have been engaging in a war of words lately and taking jibes at each other, as the two parties emerge as major contenders in the AJK race. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and ex-premier Nawaz Sharif were both participating in canvassing in the lead up to the polls, with observers seeing this election as a contest between the two. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. The PML-N had also given 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift” and announced development schemes, prompting the PPP to decry poll code violations. Bilawal on Sunday responded to Nawaz’s jibe, saying that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. He also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. “Something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right,” he said, adding that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment.
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