Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday reiterated a threat to oust the federal government, warning its “countdown has begun” over alleged rigging in the ongoing polls for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly.
Despite not being part of the ruling coalition, the PPP has remained a key ally of the PMLN at the center, with the party enjoying several constitutional roles, including that of president and Senate chairman. The alliance has suffered fractures during the AJK polls, however, over the PPP’s allegations of rigging during the AJK polls, despite multiple denials from the PMLN.
Following the second phase of the AJK polls, the PMLN secured sufficient numbers to form the government in AJK, with 23 of 45 seats.
“To my friends in the PML-N, can you hear that sound?” said the PPP chairman in a video statement posted on X, claiming it marked the countdown for the end of the incumbent federal government. In his message, he announced a public gathering in AJK’s Bagh district, urging supporters in Poonch to prepare for his arrival on Aug. 10.
Describing the polls as “neither free nor fair,” Bhutto-Zardari reiterated allegations of rigging, further declaring the polls “bullet” elections, “murderous” elections and “bloody” elections. He also congratulated his party workers, maintaining the PPP had secured victory in nine electoral seats “despite” alleged rigging. He also reiterated a vow to “reclaim” seats he alleged were “stolen” in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.
He alleged that the workers of the PPP “embraced martyrdom; our member of the National Assembly was shot in the hand; an attack was made on the president of our state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir” during the polls. “The Pakistan Peoples Party does not lose courage. We do not retreat, and we do not leave the field,” he added.
PMLN responds
Responding to the PPP’s claims, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar issued a video statement on his official X account. Noting that political point scoring was a key component of the election process, he said the PPP should have put more effort into the election campaign if they wished to win in AJK.
He also criticized Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon for his “baseless accusations” of election rigging, demanding evidence backed by irrefutable evidence.
Tarar maintained that the “people of AJK voted for the party that placed more importance on development and the welfare of the people. PPP should reflect on its own performance in Sindh before pointing fingers elsewhere.” He emphasized that the PMLN’s manifesto for this election focused on public service and development, further explaining the people of Kashmir were “aware who has wasted time and which party has invested time and effort in building development projects in AJK.”
Describing the rigging allegations as “disappointing,” he claimed they aimed to build political rhetoric. “PPP should accept the election results and make an effort to advance the political process,” he said, recalling that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had congratulated the PPP on its victory in Gilgit-Baltistan, displaying politics of tolerance and reconciliation.
“However, in the AJK elections, the entire PMLN team, including Nawaz Sharif, ran a unified and strong campaign that helped secure victory for the party,” he added.