PML-N's 'gift': Buses promised by Maryam reach AJK as election commission warns against violating electoral code

MUZAFFARABAD: E-buses announced by the PML-N as a “gift” arrived in Muzaffarabad on Saturday as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission warned against violating the code of conduct for election campaigns.

The AJK Election Commission warned that it would not allow any individual or institution to violate the code of conduct, a day after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced development schemes, including the “gift” of 10 e-buses at election rallies in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.

CM Maryam confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the green buses had arrived in the regional capital, sharing a video that showed several of the vehicles bearing posters with her picture.

The PML-N’s Friday announcement had not gone well with the PPP, which described it as “political bribery”. It then approached the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it termed a violation of the election code of conduct.

Subsequently, an Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers were free to participate in electioneering in AJK but could not use official protocol, government resources or the state machinery for electoral purposes.

The spokesperson warned that the announcement of any new development scheme, financial package, public facility or welfare project during the election campaign would amount to a violation of the code of conduct.

Any vehicles, equipment, relief goods or other facilities sent by the federal or provincial governments during the election period would be confiscated and action taken in accordance with the law, the statement added.

The spokesperson urged all ministers, candidates and political parties to strictly observe the code of conduct to ensure free, fair and transparent elections and maintain public confidence in the electoral process.

Meanwhile, AJK Secretary Information Muhammad Rashid Hanif and Director Information Tariq Jamil Durrani urged journalists and media organisations to ensure responsible, impartial and professional coverage of the elections.

In a joint message, they called on the media to publish only verified and balanced information, avoid rumours and inflammatory content, and adhere to the Election Commission’s code of conduct and journalistic ethics.

They also urged users of social media platforms to refrain from sharing unverified or misleading material that could undermine the electoral process or disturb public order.

PPP accuses PML-N of ‘political bribery’

Separately, PPP Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari met with AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday over the issue of pre-poll development schemes.

He urged the CEC to take notice of the Punjab government’s decision to hand over 10 electric buses bearing the photographs of CM Maryam to the AJK administration.

He said the PPP considered the act as “political bribery” and alleged that the PML-N was trying to “buy the AJK elections” by using tax money of the people of Punjab.

“After the announcement of the election schedule, any such step by any executive amounts to a clear violation of election laws,” he asserted.

Bukhari questioned whether the buses were purchased “from the account of Jati Umra”, and asked the CEC to take notice of the matter.

He also submitted a request for issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the PPP to run a “motivation service” in connection with the party manifesto and election campaign in AJK, and urged the CEC to decide early on the party’s appeal.

Matters related to the AJK general elections 2026, the code of conduct, and permission letters required for political parties also came under discussion.

In a statement, PPP Central Spokesperson Shazia Marri said Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was striving for a bright and empowered future for every Kashmiri.

She said the PPP chairman had raised the slogan of the right to rule, right to property and right to employment for the people of Kashmir, adding “this is not a crime”.

Marri asked PML-N to present its plan of action for Kashmir to the people instead of attacking political allies. “The people of Kashmir do not want allegations by political parties; they want solutions to their problems,” she said.

She said Nawaz was repeating the same old narrative on which he “could not deliver despite being in power three times”.