PML-N six seats short of two-thirds majority in AJK, says Rana Sanaullah

Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Saturday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is six seats short of securing a two-thirds majority in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly.

Sanaullah made the remarks while addressing a public rally in Bagh district ahead of the third phase of AJK elections in Poonch Division.

Poonch Division comprises 11 constituencies — three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch and two in Sudhnoti.

Under the revised election schedule, polling will be held in Bagh and Haveli districts on August 10. The AJK Election Commission said fresh dates for polling in Poonch and Sudhnoti would be announced after reviewing the situation.

The PML-N has emerged as the leading party after the first two phases of the AJK elections, securing 24 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won 10.

Addressing the rally, Sanaullah expressed hope that the PML-N would win all four seats being contested on August 10.

Taking a swipe at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who has repeatedly claimed that the countdown for the PML-N government in Islamabad has begun, Sanaullah said: "Those counting down will themselves be straightened out, and so will their count."

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam also reiterated that the PML-N would form the next AJK government with a two-thirds majority.

Meanwhile, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the Election Commission would be able to announce the polling date for Rawalakot within seven days once the issue of ongoing sit-ins was resolved.

He added that the election campaign for the third phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections would end at midnight on Saturday.

Bilawal rejects PML-N claim

A day earlier, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari rejected the PML-N's claim that it would form the government in AJK, saying the party was also facing a threat to its government in Islamabad.

"The countdown for the PML-N government has started," Bilawal said, claiming that the process had been initiated by members of the ruling party itself.

He alleged that a section of the PML-N wanted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to confront his coalition partners.

Referring to reported differences within the Sharif family, Bilawal said the "real fight" was between Islamabad and Lahore and described it as the family's internal matter.