He says elections were free, fair, credible, acceptable, in line with directions of PM Shehbaz
Rana Sanaullah addressing a news conference alongside Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam in Islamabad. Photo: APP
Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured a simple majority in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following the completion of elections on 20 seats, winning 13 of them.
Addressing a news conference alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Engr Amir Muqam in Islamabad on Monday, Sanaullah said that out of the 45 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, elections had so far been held on 20 seats. In the first phase, 13 seats were contested, while in the second phase, polling was completed on seven of the nine seats in Muzaffarabad.
“Alhamdulillah, PML-N candidates won 13 of these 20 seats. In Muzaffarabad, PML-N candidates were successful on four of the seven seats, while the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) won three seats.”
He said PML-N also won 10 of the 12 refugee seats.
“On the refugee seats, PPP did not even campaign or contest. On some seats, it was a contest between PML-N and Muslim Conference candidates,” he added.
With these results, Sanaullah said PML-N, under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, had achieved the number required to form a simple majority government in AJK. Of the total 45 seats, 23 were now with PML-N. Polling on 10 more seats would be held in the third phase, as one seat fell vacant due to the death of a candidate.
“On behalf of Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and our leader, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who was an inspiring reference for us in this election, we congratulate all winning candidates, including those from PPP,” he said. “We also congratulate all those who contested and participated in this democratic process.”
Read: Second phase of AJK election begins as voting opens in 21 constituencies
He added that the incoming PML-N majority government in AJK would fulfil all promises made by Mian Nawaz Sharif to the people and that an era of development would begin.
Sanaullah also questioned the PPP for its conduct during the elections. He alleged that after losing in Mirpur, PPP leadership began raising allegations of rigging.
“Since yesterday morning, they started building a narrative that they were being defeated through rigging. When asked for evidence, they pointed to a polling station where their own candidate had received 96% of the vote.”
He cited the example of LA-31, saying the PPP’s district president had already been aware 10 days earlier that he was losing the seat and therefore tried to disrupt polling.
“First, they demanded that Sindh Police be deployed there. When that was not accepted, they spent the whole day trying to create unrest to lower turnout,” he alleged.
Referring to an incident in the city constituency, Sanaullah claimed PPP workers, in collaboration with an action committee, created a disturbance, set tyres on fire and, when police arrived, opened fire.
“In the crossfire, one person was killed, which created fear and panic and suppressed turnout in the city. We estimate this cost PML-N 3,000 to 4,000 votes in the city,” he said.
He also questioned PPP’s claims about an attack on an MNA, saying it was first claimed his arm was blown off, then his thumb, and then that a bullet had merely grazed him, but no medical evidence was produced.
“I appeal to Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to look into this. The way they are trying to discredit the election process with baseless propaganda and false statements about arms and thumbs being blown off is damaging to democracy. This is not in line with the Charter of Democracy signed by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Mian Nawaz Sharif.”
Read more: PML-N sweeps Pindi refugee seats in AJK polls
Sanaullah said the elections were free, fair, credible and acceptable, in line with the directions of the prime minister. He expressed confidence that PML-N would win three or, at most, four of the remaining seats.
“We thank all PML-N coordinators, workers and voters who worked tirelessly, going street to street and village to village,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Muqam described PML-N’s performance in the AJK elections as a victory not only for the party but also for democracy and the state.
The minister said the successful completion of the second phase of polling was made possible by the grace of Almighty Allah.
“This success is not just our party’s success. Most importantly, the writ of the government has been established and democracy has won,” Muqam said.
He noted that despite predictions of low turnout and claims that elections would not be held, voters came out in large numbers.
“It was repeatedly said that turnout would not even reach 10%. But by the grace of Allah, people came out. In some places, turnout reached 50%, and in others it reached 60 per cent,” he said.
The minister paid tribute to the Election Commission, the administration, the police and other institutions for their efforts. He also acknowledged the role of the AJK government and security agencies.
“The Election Commission worked hard day and night, and everyone saw it. The administration, police and all others also performed their duties. And above all, the agencies played an excellent role. It was due to this teamwork that this became possible,” he said.
Muqam said the campaign was the result of a collective effort by the party leadership and workers.
“Our Quaid, Mian Nawaz Sharif, went there himself and addressed a public gathering in Muzaffarabad and shared his thoughts with the people. Our sister, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, presented her vision and the work being done in Punjab. And PM Shehbaz monitored everything and played his role despite our government not being in AJK,” he said.
Also read: Over 1 million voters to cast ballots in second phase of AJK polls
He added that despite past differences, PML-N leaders and workers united for the campaign.
“This did not happen overnight. It is the result of two years of hard work. We united our party, approached people where we were weak, and brought them on board with the consent of our existing workers. Sanaullah and I personally called people one by one and visited their homes,” he said.
The minister said PML-N focused on presenting its manifesto and record of service instead of just speeches.
“People of Kashmir look at your past, your present, and your future. They made their decision by combining all these things. InshaAllah, we will fulfil every promise and commitment we made to them,” he said.
Referring to the overall position, Muqam said PML-N had already secured 23 seats in the 45-member AJK Assembly. He expressed hope for further success in the next phase.
He also criticised the PPP for alleging rigging.
“From day one, they were saying rigging was being done and asking who the sources were. What they started yesterday was a great injustice. First, their chairman should ask his own people why they were misled. Every person who feared he was losing started saying rigging was taking place,” he said.
Muqam said such tactics damaged both democracy and the parties themselves.
“What they did was not good for democracy, not good for themselves, and not good for their own MNA. InshaAllah, polling will also be held on the remaining seats on the 4th. We hope for another good message from AJK,” he said.
