MUZAFFARABAD – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has stepped up criticism of the federal government, alleging widespread manipulation in the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and warning that the Centre’s “countdown has begun.”
In a video message, Bilawal rejected the AJK elections as unfair, using strong language to describe the polling process and alleging that the electoral mandate had been undermined.
Despite the controversy, he congratulated PPP workers on securing nine seats, saying the party had achieved the results despite what he described as difficult circumstances.
Bilawal vowed to continue the PPP’s campaign to challenge results in constituencies in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad, where he alleged the party’s mandate had been taken away.
Addressing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, the PPP chairman said the federal government’s political countdown had begun, signalling increasing friction between the two coalition partners at the Centre.
Bilawal also urged PPP supporters to remain active in the remaining electoral contests. He specifically called on party workers to support Bazil Naqvi and Javed Ayub in their respective Muzaffarabad constituencies, alleging that their victories would thwart what he called a PML-N political strategy.
He further announced that he would address a public gathering in Bagh district of Poonch Division on August 10, inviting supporters to attend the event.
Bilawal said the PPP would continue its political struggle and would neither retreat nor abandon the electoral arena.
Bilawal’s remarks came as Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the PML-N had obtained enough seats to form the next AJK government.
Sanaullah said the party had won 23 of the 45 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, giving it a simple majority.
Meanwhile, PPP leader and Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also accused the PML-N and the Election Commission of electoral wrongdoing. Memon alleged that ballot papers had been provided to PML-N candidates before polling and claimed that complaints raised by AJK’s top elected leadership were not properly addressed.
Memon described the alleged irregularities as “historic rigging” and repeated the PPP’s broader allegations regarding electoral processes, including those linked to the 2024 general elections.
The allegations have intensified political tensions as the PPP and PML-N continue to share power at the federal level while remaining rivals in several electoral contests.
