On a public mandate, the PML-N would form an AJK government: Rana Sanaullah

Following the conclusion of the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has established a clear lead, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah. The party will form the next government in Azad Kashmir based on the strength of the public mandate.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad with Federal Minister Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah announced that the PML-N had won 13 of the 20 seats that were up for election in the second phase. According to him, voting was finished in seven of Muzaffarabad Division’s nine constituencies, and the party has won 26 of the 45 seats thus far.

According to Rana Sanaullah, the Pakistan Peoples Party should now disclose to the country whether or not the polls were transparent after making accusations of election manipulation prior to the elections. He claimed that when proof of purported voting manipulation was sought, allegations first mentioned 13 polling places, then decreased to four, and finally to only two.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he congratulated the victorious candidates and stated that development initiatives in Azad Kashmir would be initiated in accordance with the party’s election pledges.

In order to decide the party’s future course of action, Rana Sanaullah added that the PML-N parliamentary party meeting would be held as soon as the third round of elections concluded on August 10.

He asserted that people had a complete chance to exercise their right to vote. But he said that in cooperation with an action committee, rioting broke out at a city crossroads two days prior to the election. He said that one person was killed as a result of police intervention, which also increased terror in the community and decreased voting turnout.

Rana Sanaullah further asserted that the appropriate authorities had the names of individuals who were participating in the crossfire. Additionally, he said that the PML-N lost elections because members of the Pakistan Peoples Party joined the action committee in the disturbance.