PPP, PML-N Workers Clash in Sialkot Amid AJK Election Tensions
At a glance
- Tensions high between PML-N and PPP over AJK elections.
- Both parties accuse each other of rigging and violence.
- Clashes reported between workers in Sialkot.
Story so far
Following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, significant tensions have emerged between allied parties PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party, with both sides exchanging serious accusations. PPP leaders have alleged widespread rigging, claiming the election was "snatched" and reporting an attack on the President of Azad Kashmir and the killing of a PPP worker. PML-N, in turn, has accused PPP of attempting to make the election controversial with unsubstantiated claims of rigging. PML-N leaders have held press conferences to address the situation.
Latest development
Tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) escalated further with reports of clashes, vandalism, and firing between their workers in Sialkot.
Latest updates
Workers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) clashed in Sialkot, with reports of vandalism and firing.
Tensions have escalated between allied parties PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party following elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with both sides levelling serious accusations against each other.
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira alleged that the election was "snatched" from his party. He claimed that the President of Azad Kashmir was attacked in his own constituency and that a PPP worker was killed in a firing incident at a polling station. Another PPP leader, Nadeem Afzal Chan, stated that if the party's complaints were not addressed, it would be difficult to consider the election transparent. He suggested that force was being used to favour one party.
In response, PML-N's Marriyum Aurangzeb accused PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari of attempting to make the election controversial after facing defeat. During a conversation in Rawalpindi, she claimed Mr. Bukhari was showing two ballot papers with alleged double stamps to claim widespread rigging. She drew a parallel to the 'cypher' controversy, suggesting it was a tactic to dispute the results.
Ms. Aurangzeb questioned the logic of the allegations, stating, "If rigging happened, for argument's sake, then one must first accept that the Peoples Party government in Azad Kashmir rigged the election against the Peoples Party and Bilawal Bhutto."
PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam also held a press conference regarding the developing situation between the two parties.
Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission has extended the polling time by one hour in the Muzaffarabad Division.
Polling for the Kashmiri refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections is currently underway in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections is currently underway across nine constituencies in the Muzaffarabad Division and all 12 refugee constituencies. Voting commenced at 8:00 AM on Sunday and is scheduled to continue until 5:00 PM. A total of 207 candidates are competing in the Muzaffarabad Division, while 137 candidates are contesting in the refugee constituencies. During the ongoing polling, reports emerged of a delayed start to voting, prompting concerns from political figures. Additionally, the law and order situation reportedly worsened at Polling Station 48 in LA-32. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) AJK chapter has also submitted a written complaint to Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, alleging electoral malpractice at a polling station. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused the Election Commission of inaction regarding these issues.
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