Defeat in AJK polls
ISLAMABAD
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have rejected the “anti-Pakistan narrative” of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Addressing a news conference along with Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday, the information minister said, “I want to congratulate the people of AJK that by giving huge mandate to the PTI they have strengthened the freedom movement of people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK),” he added.
The minister said that Imran Khan is the first leader who raised the voice for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “High turnout suggests that people have confidence in the electoral process and system of the country,” Fawad said.
He said that politics of personal interests has been rejected by the masses once again. He asked PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to accept the responsibility for their parties’ defeat in the polls and step down from their posts.
“They both should resign from their posts voluntarily if they have any ‘political shame’ and give a chance to new political leadership to emerge within the party,” the minister said. He also said instead of hiding behind the narrative of rigging, both the leaders should stand aside from their party positions.
Fawad said former premier Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with Afghan National Security Adviser (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib in London ahead of the AJK elections further damaged the party’s position in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Amin Gandapur thanked the people of AJK for supporting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in elections. He assured the AJK people that the PTI government will address their issues which they have been facing for the last 72 years.
The PTI emerged as the single-largest party after clinching at least 25 out of 45 seats in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, according to the unofficial results. The PPP came in second with 11 seats while the PML-N bagged six seats.
According to the unofficial results, the turnout was recorded at around 62 percent. More than 700 candidates from 32 political and religious parties contested for the 45 general seats.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party (JKPP) and the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJK-MC) managed to bag one seat each, according to the unofficial results.
Out of the eight reserved seats, five are for women and three seats, one each for religious scholars, technocrats, and overseas Kashmiris. The members for these seats are nominated after the elections. TLTP
