ISLAMABAD: Senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met in Muzaffarabad and decided to reduce tensions over allegations of rigging in the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections.
The meeting followed days of rift and rigging allegations over the Mirpur polls. PPP leaders claimed a widespread electoral irregularities and questioned the credibility of the voting process while PML-N leaders also raised rigging in Kotli.
The discussions aimed to prevent the dispute from affecting cooperation between the two coalition partners in the federal government. The meeting followed consultations at the federal level.
Leaders exchange concerns over election claims
The PPP delegation included Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nadeem Afzal Chan, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore, and Nayyar Bukhari. Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam represented the PML-N during the talks.
Sources said both sides openly discussed complaints regarding campaign statements and reactions following the Mirpur election results.
The PML-N leadership asked the PPP to provide evidence supporting its allegations of systematic electoral rigging. In response, PPP leaders said their objections were limited to four constituencies, namely LA-5, LA-9, LA-11, and LA-12, where they believed serious irregularities occurred.
Parties seek peaceful remaining polls
Meanwhile, PML-N leaders argued that the PPP had effectively accepted the results in the remaining nine constituencies by limiting its objections to four seats.
Both parties agreed not to allow the political dispute to escalate or affect the remaining phases of the AJK elections. Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen election-day security, particularly in Muzaffarabad.
The leaders also agreed that no individual should carry firearms near polling stations, aiming to ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible voting during the remaining electoral process.
