ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz (PML‑N) has claimed victory in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, asserting that it has secured a simple majority and is in a position to form the next government.
At a joint press conference in Islamabad, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam announced that PML‑N had won 13 out of 20 seats contested in the first and second phases, and 23 out of 45 seats overall.
Sanaullah added that the party had also secured 10 of 12 refugee seats, while in the Muzaffarabad division, PML‑N won 4 seats compared to PPP’s 3.
Responding to opposition allegations of rigging, Sanaullah said: “The PPP must also explain its own success.”
He insisted that the elections were free, fair, and transparent, and that the people had expressed confidence in PML‑N.
He noted that Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had congratulated the successful candidates.
Sanaullah further alleged that in Muzaffarabad City, voters were confined to their homes amid fear and panic, affecting thousands of PML‑N votes.
He announced plans to approach the Election Commission to investigate incidents in LA‑31, dismissing claims of an attack on PPP leader Latif Akbar as “baseless propaganda.”
Federal Minister Amir Muqam praised the role of state institutions, police, and security agencies in ensuring peaceful elections, crediting the party’s leadership and teamwork for the victory. He said the Kashmiri people had trusted PML‑N based on its performance and future vision, adding that despite rain and logistical challenges, voter turnout remained strong.
Muqam urged the opposition to serve the people through parliamentary politics rather than protests and allegations.
Sanaullah concluded that a strong democratic government would be established in AJK according to the public mandate, and pledged Pakistan’s continued support for Azad Kashmir and the Kashmir Freedom Movement.
