Says PML-N victory reflects public trust
Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday thanked Allah for what she described as the Pakistan Muslim League-N s resounding victory in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections in Mirpur Division, while urging the PPP to accept the electoral verdict with grace instead of alleging rigging.
Congratulating the people of Mirpur and Kotli, she said they had made the best decision by voting for development and a better future for their children. The people did not merely stamp the lion; they voted for their own success and the development of Azad Kashmir, she said, expressing confidence that the outcome of the first phase would influence the rest of the region. The chief minister congratulated PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying the people had listened to and understood the party s message and had endorsed the promises made by Nawaz Sharif. She also appreciated the efforts of Rana Sanaullah, Amir Muqam and the party workers for running a successful election campaign. She said the PML-N had secured nine of the 13 key seats in the first phase and expressed confidence that the party would also win the remaining constituencies.
Expressing disappointment over the reaction of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, she said the PPP should have accepted the results in the spirit of democracy instead of using inappropriate language and making allegations.
She said election outcomes were decided by the people, not the state, recalling that the PML-N had accepted the PPP s victory in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections without raising allegations of rigging.
When you won Gilgit-Baltistan, we accepted the result wholeheartedly. Now that you have lost Mirpur, you are alleging rigging, she said. Maryam Nawaz claimed the difference between the public rallies of the PPP and the PML-N was evident, alleging that PPP gatherings remained largely unattended.
