pmln rejects rigging
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PML-N rejects rigging claims as AJK polls head tow…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has strongly rejected allegations of election rigging in the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative assembly elections, maintaining that the electoral process has remained transparent and democratic despite criticism from opposition parties.

The three-phase election, being held under heightened security arrangements, has become one of the most closely watched political contests in recent years. The process has been marked by the boycott of the polls by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusations of irregularities by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and weeks of unrest linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has challenged the existing electoral structure, particularly the controversial refugee constituencies.

Addressing a press conference after the completion of the second phase of polling, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah expressed confidence that the PML-N had already secured enough seats to form the next AJK government. He predicted the party would strengthen its position further after the remaining constituencies complete voting in the final phase.

Sanaullah described the elections as free, fair and credible, crediting election officials, law enforcement agencies and the AJK administration for ensuring a peaceful voting process under difficult circumstances. He dismissed the PPP’s allegations of rigging, arguing that any complaints should be formally presented before the Election Commission, which has the constitutional authority to investigate and order re-polling wherever necessary.

The senior PML-N leader also alleged that elements associated with the PPP and JAAC attempted to create unrest in Muzaffarabad before polling day to discourage voter turnout in areas considered favorable to his party. He said the PML-N would seek an official investigation into those incidents.

The PPP, however, continues to challenge the credibility of the elections. Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged widespread irregularities and insisted that several constituencies require independent investigations, claiming that the electoral process has not provided a level playing field for all contestants.

One of the central issues surrounding the election remains the 12 refugee constituencies, which represent refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir residing in different parts of Pakistan. Critics argue that these seats allow Islamabad greater influence over government formation in AJK, while the government maintains they are constitutionally protected. Earlier this year, the AJK Supreme Court ruled that the constituencies cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment.

The political atmosphere has also been shaped by protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee, which initially mobilized against rising electricity prices, taxation and the increasing cost of living before expanding its campaign to demand electoral reforms. Following weeks of demonstrations and clashes with security forces, the AJK government declared JAAC a banned organization under anti-terrorism laws.

With unofficial results from the first two phases placing the PML-N in a leading position, attention has now shifted to the third and final phase of polling in Poonch Division, scheduled for August 10. The outcome will determine the composition of the next AJK government and conclude an election that has generated intense political debate across Pakistan.

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The two-day conference brought together 240 Chinese delegates representing 140 leading Chinese pharmaceutical companies and 430 Pakistani delegates from 210 local companies, making it one of the largest Pakistan-China engagements ever held exclusively for the pharmaceutical sector. To maximize business outcomes, the Ministry of National Health Services facilitated six weeks of virtual business matchmaking before the conference, ensuring participating companies entered the event with well-developed business discussions rather than first-time introductions. As a result, the conference generated 340 bilateral business meetings, culminating in: 22 commercial agreements worth US$629.5 million 84 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with an estimated value of approximately US$800 million, many of which are expected to mature into formal investment agreements. The signed agreements span six strategic sub-sectors critical to the future of Pakistan’s healthcare industry: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) – 2 agreements Local Vaccine Production – 8 agreements Clinical Trials – 2 agreements Generic Formulations & Injectables – 2 agreements Medical Devices Manufacturing – 8 agreements The Minister emphasized that the government’s objective extends beyond signing MoUs, focusing instead on legally binding commercial agreements that lead to tangible investments, technology transfer, industrial growth, and employment generation. Highlighting the government’s broader pharmaceutical reforms, the Minister noted that Pakistan has, for the first time, developed and approved a National Local Vaccine Production Policy, creating the policy framework necessary for domestic vaccine manufacturing. Currently, Pakistan administers 13 vaccines under its national immunization programme, all of which are imported. The new policy aims to establish local production capacity, improve health security, and reduce import dependence. The Minister also identified several strategic priorities being pursued jointly with Chinese partners, including: Development of Pakistan’s clinical trials ecosystem; Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal medicines; Local manufacturing and export of medical devices; Establishment of vocational and technical training programmes for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology workforce; and Indigenous production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), as Pakistan currently imports approximately 95% of the raw materials used to manufacture medicines despite producing nearly 85% of its pharmaceutical products locally. The Minister observed that healthcare is a permanent and growing global industry, and with Pakistan’s population exceeding 250 million, strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing has become both an economic and strategic necessity. He further highlighted the government’s regulatory reforms, particularly within the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), where approximately 85% of regulatory processes have now been digitized. The reforms have substantially reduced processing times, enhanced transparency, minimized human intervention, and improved ease of doing business. As an example, the Minister noted that the registration of medical devices, which previously required years to complete, can now be processed entirely online, with approvals being issued within 20 days, significantly improving investor confidence. The Minister acknowledged the collective efforts of the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, led by Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, the Ministry of National Health Services, DRAP, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the Board of Investment (BOI), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Islamabad Police, law enforcement agencies, and all public officials whose coordinated efforts ensured the successful organization of the conference. He also appreciated the active participation of the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry and Chinese business partners, whose collaboration translated business dialogue into concrete investment commitments. Concluding the press conference, the Minister described the conference as the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between Pakistan and China in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the signed agreements are implemented expeditiously and translated into operational projects that strengthen Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, create employment opportunities, increase exports, and contribute to national economic growth.

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