Political tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have intensified as the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) General Elections 2026 gets underway. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, the two coalition partners have failed to resolve their differences over the first phase of polling.
The second phase of voting is being held across nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies located in different parts of Pakistan. While authorities have implemented strict security measures to ensure peaceful polling, political disagreements continue to dominate the electoral landscape.
The dispute began after the first phase of elections in Mirpur, where the PML-N secured key victories. The PPP challenged the results, alleging electoral irregularities in several constituencies. However, the PML-N rejected the accusations and maintained that the election outcomes reflected the people’s mandate.
Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah criticized PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for repeatedly raising allegations of election rigging. He questioned the basis of the claims and referred to the election of President Asif Ali Zardari while responding to the PPP’s criticism of the 2024 general elections.
Rana Sanaullah also commented on recent remarks by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi regarding governance reforms and the debate over creating new provinces, questioning the minister’s political role and statements.
Meanwhile, PPP leader Saeed Ghani strongly defended his party during a press conference. He stated that the PPP had never formed a government through election manipulation and accused the PML-N of benefiting from controversial election results in the past. He also rejected allegations made against the PPP.
In an effort to ease tensions, senior representatives from both parties held several rounds of talks over the past few days. According to party sources, the PPP initially challenged results in four constituencies but later withdrew objections in two seats, while continuing to seek action regarding Charhoi and Nakyal, where PPP candidates lost to PML-N nominees.
PML-N leaders maintained during the negotiations that any reported irregularities were isolated incidents rather than evidence of organized rigging. They argued that such issues had occurred in previous elections and should not undermine the credibility of the overall electoral process.
However, the negotiations ended without a final agreement, leaving political tensions unresolved as the second phase of polling commenced.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met PML-N President Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra to review the evolving political situation and discuss the party’s strategy regarding the AJK elections. The meeting was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
In another development, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he had received a positive response to his proposal for establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Azad Kashmir. He stated that the proposal had gained support within the AJK Legislative Assembly and would be discussed further with AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, the federal government, and other stakeholders before moving forward.
