Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has intensified his criticism of the federal government following the party’s performance in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Bilawal said the federal government’s “countdown has begun” after the PPP secured fewer seats than the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) during the elections.
The PML-N has secured a simple majority in the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly. According to Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, the party won 23 seats.
The election results have also increased tensions between the two parties. The PPP remains a key coalition partner of the PML-N government at the Centre. However, Bilawal’s party repeatedly accused the ruling party of manipulating the AJK polls.
Bilawal Announces Rally After AJK Election Results
Reacting to the election outcome, Bilawal issued a strong warning to the federal government.
“To my friends in the PML-N, can you hear that sound?” The countdown for the federal government has begun,” the PPP chairman said in a video message.
Bilawal also announced a public gathering in Bagh district. He urged supporters in Poonch to prepare for the rally scheduled for August 10.
“Poonch, I am coming. Get ready,” he said.
The PPP chairman strongly rejected the election results and questioned the fairness of the voting process.
He described the elections as “neither free nor fair”. He also called them “rigged elections”, “bullet elections”, “murderous elections” and “bloody elections”.
Despite the party’s losses, Bilawal congratulated PPP workers for their performance.
“You have won nine seats for the Pakistan Peoples Party despite all this,” he said.
PPP Vows to Continue Political Fight
Bilawal also promised to challenge what he called stolen seats in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.
He said the PPP would continue its political struggle despite the election results.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party does not lose courage. We do not retreat, and we do not leave the field,” he said.
His remarks came shortly after another senior PPP leader criticised the PML-N over the AJK elections.
Sindh minister Sharjeel Inam Memon also warned that the federal government could face political consequences.
Memon, blasting the PML-N leadership, warned: “The countdown begins for the federal government. “PML-N, in collaboration with the Election Commission, had given ballot papers to its candidates 2 days ago.”
He further alleged that the administration had ignored complaints from AJK’s president and prime minister.
“Historic rigging was carried out in the AJK poll,” he alleged.
Memon also referred to the 2024 elections while questioning the legitimacy of political victories.
He questioned whether PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had won their seats in those “rigged” elections.
The latest statements indicate that the PPP plans to keep pressure on the federal government despite its weaker showing in AJK. Bilawal’s planned rally in Poonch could further shape the party’s response to the election outcome. Meanwhile, the PPP’s allegations of rigging are likely to remain a major point of political confrontation between the coalition partners.
