Web Desk: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah, said the party has secured enough seats to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir following the legislative assembly elections.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, Sanaullah said the elections were conducted in a transparent manner and claimed voters supported the vision of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Sanaullah said PML-N had won 23 of the 45 seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, giving the party the required simple majority to establish a government.
He congratulated the successful candidates and thanked voters, saying the upcoming administration would work to address public issues and fulfill commitments made to the people of the region.
“The people have given a democratic mandate, and PML-N will honor the promises made by Nawaz Sharif,” Sanaullah said.
Sanaullah highlighted the party’s performance in the second phase of polling, saying PML-N secured 13 of the 20 contested seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won three seats.
He also said PML-N captured four constituencies in Muzaffarabad and won 10 of the 12 seats reserved for migrants, while PPP secured two of those seats.
Sanaullah criticised opposition parties that had raised concerns over alleged irregularities, saying their performance did not match their claims.
The PML-N leader said a parliamentary committee meeting would be convened immediately after the third phase of the electoral process on August 10 to discuss the formation of the new government and related matters.
He described the expected administration as a result of public support and said it would focus on governance and development in Azad Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Sanaullah accused PPP supporters of creating unrest in Muzaffarabad in coordination with an action committee, claiming that violence erupted after police arrived at the scene and that one person was killed, creating fear among residents.
He alleged the incident affected voter turnout and contributed to PML-N losing a city constituency.
Sanaullah also rejected claims of an assassination attempt against PPP leader Chaudhry Latif Akbar, saying the incident involved verbal exchanges and physical confrontation rather than an attack.
He alleged that opposition groups attempted to disrupt voting in Akbar’s constituency and had earlier sought the deployment of Sindh Police personnel there.
PML-N has yet to officially announce its candidate for the top government positions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with further decisions expected after consultations following the election process.
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