Maryam Nawaz Says AJK Voters Defeated Violence and Protests Through Ballot

Addressing a meeting of the PML-N’s AJK parliamentary party in Murree, Maryam Nawaz congratulated the party on its victory in the AJK elections and said the people of the region had made the right decision despite difficult circumstances.

She alleged that certain elements had sought to create conflict between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, adding that their defeat was a major setback. According to Maryam, AJK voters knew what they wanted and were aware of the development work being carried out in Punjab and at the federal level.

“The people of Azad Kashmir voted for development,” she said, adding that the election itself was not the main test for the PML-N, but that the real test would begin once the government was formed.

Maryam directed the party’s newly elected representatives to begin work immediately instead of focusing on protocol and official engagements. She said development work in AJK should start from the first day of the new government.

The Punjab chief minister also praised PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, describing him as the founder of modern Pakistan. She said the party and its leadership had faced numerous challenges and political conspiracies over the years.

Referring to the 2021 AJK elections, Maryam claimed that PML-N had won 17 seats while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured three seats when the federal government was led by PTI, but alleged that the election results were subsequently changed.

She said the PML-N had now regained its majority and described the result as a response to those who had predicted the party’s decline.

Maryam criticises PPP over rigging allegations

Maryam Nawaz also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for alleging electoral rigging in AJK after losing the election.

She said that when the PPP won in Gilgit-Baltistan, it did not raise allegations of rigging. However, she claimed, after losing in AJK, the party had accused others of manipulating the election.

Maryam said the PML-N had invited the PPP to form a government in Gilgit-Baltistan despite not being the majority party there.

She also criticised the PPP’s record in areas under its administration, arguing that the party could not credibly promise better roads, transport or sanitation in AJK.

Referring to the PPP’s long tenure in government, she said roads in areas under its administration remained in poor condition and alleged that public transport and waste-management systems had also failed to meet expectations.

Maryam further questioned the PPP’s allegations of electoral irregularities, saying that the AJK government and administration including the president, prime minister, police and other officials—were under the party’s control.

She said political leaders should consider the facts before blaming others for alleged rigging in an election conducted under an administration they themselves controlled.