RAWALPINDI — Punjab Senior Minister Marriyam Aurangzeb has firmly dismissed allegations of electoral rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, contending that the accusations from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stem from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) commanding performance at the polls.
Speaking on the unfolding election landscape, Aurangzeb argued that the rigging narrative was being manufactured precisely because the PML-N was on track to win. She drew a parallel with the recent Gilgit-Baltistan elections, noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had graciously congratulated the PPP when it clinched victory there. The PML-N’s current strength in AJK, she suggested, had instead triggered baseless claims of electoral manipulation.
Aurangzeb emphasized that with thousands of votes cast, isolated incidents involving improperly stamped ballots should not weaponized to undermine the entire democratic process. She sharply criticized the PPP for what she described as a premature concession of defeat, pointing out that the party held a press conference around 10:30 a.m. to air grievances while voting was still actively underway.
Aurangzeb Disputes Violence Narrative
The provincial minister also forcefully rejected the PPP’s characterization of a confrontation between party supporters. She explained that a clash occurred at one location, during which an elderly man tragically suffered a fatal heart attack. Aurangzeb accused the PPP of subsequently distorting the incident, portraying it as a shooting to give it a political dimension.
She maintained that video footage of the altercation, widely circulated on social media, clearly shows a physical scuffle between political workers, not the firearm attack alleged by the opposition. Aurangzeb reiterated that the PML-N does not subscribe to a politics of violence or abusive language.
PML-N Claims Public Mandate on Performance
Addressing the PPP directly, Aurangzeb advised the party to focus on improving its governance and performance in Sindh if it genuinely seeks to broaden its electoral appeal. She contended that the emerging results from AJK reflected a clear public sentiment, indicating which party currently commands greater enthusiasm and support among the electorate.
The remarks were made as the second phase of AJK progressed amid a heated war of words between the PPP and PML-N over polling conduct. The PPP has formally submitted complaints alleging irregularities at several polling stations, accusations the PML-N has consistently denied. The AJK Election Commission is expected to review the complaints lodged by political parties as the electoral process continues.
