azad kashmir elections

Azad Kashmir Elections: A Pilot Project or a Model for Pakistan’s Next General Elections?

ByJustpaste.in

By Engr. Saqlain Abid

Political Commentator and NFPA-Certified Electrical Engineer

 

Elections are the vital organ of a living democracy. If they are conducted according to the people’s choice, without interference, on equal grounds, and with the consensus of all democratic participants, then the state not only remains in good health but also flourishes with the hope and commitment promised before the elections.

 

For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections are not being held on a single polling day. Instead, the electoral process has been divided into three different phases—27 July, 8 August, and 20 August 2026. This unusual arrangement raises several important questions. Why is the state preparing this electoral model? What are the conditions on the ground that necessitated such a strategy? More importantly, how could this experiment influence Pakistan’s national elections next year?

 

The political environment surrounding these elections has already become highly contested. The major political force JAAC has been banned by the government, and several of its leaders have been detained. The party has consequently boycotted the elections. PTI, another major opposition force, has also chosen to boycott the electoral process. According to its leadership, the party has been forced to contest only through independent candidates rather than under its official party platform. PTI argues that the government has failed to provide the safety, guarantees, and political environment necessary for free and fair elections. Under such circumstances, the party believes participation would merely legitimize a process it does not trust.

 

On the other hand, the ruling coalition, led by PML-N and PPP, has entered the campaign with promises of development projects, including new motorways and business initiatives aimed at attracting voters. While development remains an important component of any election campaign, questions regarding electoral credibility continue to overshadow these promises.

 

In principle, elections should be transparent, efficient, and completed within the shortest possible time. If technological solutions such as secure online systems become feasible in the future, they may further reduce the chances of manipulation. However, extending the polling process over three different days also creates a debate. While supporters argue that it makes election management easier, critics believe that a prolonged process increases opportunities for allegations of interference and weakens public confidence.

 

The government should have taken all political parties on board before announcing such an unprecedented electoral model. A genuinely inclusive process requires the participation of every major democratic stakeholder. JAAC, which commands significant public support in parts of Azad Kashmir, should have been engaged through political dialogue rather than exclusion. The credibility of elections depends not only on voting day but also on the perception that every political voice has been given an equal opportunity to participate.

 

Pakistan has previously criticized India for conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir while sections of the local political leadership remained outside the process. At the time, Islamabad argued that elections held without broad political participation reflected only a procedural exercise rather than the genuine will of the people. The obvious question now is what circumstances have led Pakistan toward a model that some critics argue resembles the same approach.

 

Some political analysts believe that the AJK elections may serve as a pilot project to test a phased electoral model before its possible application across Pakistan during future general elections. Whether this perception is accurate or not, the debate itself demonstrates the level of public skepticism surrounding the process.

 

Another factor attracting attention is the role of the Chief Election Commissioner, whose tenure continues to face criticism following the February 2024 general elections. Allegations raised by former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha regarding manipulation of election results remain part of Pakistan’s political discourse, despite subsequent developments in the case. These controversies have inevitably shaped public perceptions regarding electoral transparency.

 

If voter turnout remains significantly low because of political boycotts and public distrust, the legitimacy of the exercise may come under further scrutiny. It is therefore the moral responsibility of the government and the Election Commission to create an environment where every democratic force feels secure enough to participate and where no stakeholder can reasonably question the fairness of the process.

 

The electoral process ultimately determines the political shelf life of a state. When governments emerge through elections widely accepted by the public, trust between the people and the state grows stronger. When that trust weakens, political polarization deepens, frustration increases, and hostile external actors find greater opportunities to exploit internal divisions. With Balochistan already facing serious security challenges and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confronting persistent instability, any controversy surrounding the AJK electoral process may further strengthen perceptions that democratic space is shrinking rather than expanding.

 

Ultimately, the success of these elections will not be measured solely by administrative efficiency but by whether the people of Azad Kashmir believe that their voices were freely heard and genuinely counted. A credible electoral process strengthens democracy; a disputed one risks weakening the very foundations upon which democratic legitimacy depends.

Similar Posts

  • Omega-3 linked to better lungs

    ByJustpaste.in

    A new medical study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may do more than protect the heart and brain. Researchers say these healthy fats could also help keep the lungs working well for a longer time by slowing the natural decline in lung function. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as oily fish, fish oil supplements walnuts, flaxseeds chia seeds vegetable oils and fortified foods. They are already known for their anti inflammatory effects and may help lower the risk of heart disease stroke and some types of cancer. Now scientists believe they may also play an important role in supporting lung health. The study was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The research was led by Dr. Patricia A. Cassano from Cornell University in New York. She explained that while many studies have looked at how diet affects heart disease and cancer much less research has focused on how nutrition influences lung health. To explore this researchers carried out two separate studies. The first study followed 15,063 adults in the United States with an average age of 56. Most participants were healthy and had no diagnosed lung disease when the study began. They were monitored for between seven and 20 years. Researchers found that people with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood experienced a slower decline in lung function over time. In the second study scientists analyzed genetic data from more than 500,000 people in Europe. They examined genetic markers linked to omega-3 levels in the blood and found the same pattern. Higher omega-3 levels were associated with better lung function and healthier lungs. Although the findings are encouraging experts say omega-3 supplements should not be seen as a cure or a replacement for medical treatment. A balanced diet regular exercise avoiding smoking and following medical advice remain the best ways to protect lung health.

  • | |

    Finding Macbeth among the cul-de-sacs

    ByJustpaste.in

    There is a persistent cultural myth that high art requires crumbling castles, stormed heaths, or the frantic pulse of a metropolitan center. Suburbia, by contrast, is frequently dismissed as a landscape of cultural vacuum. The locality is defined instead by the hypnotic hum of lawnmowers, identical mailboxes, and the predictable choreography of the morning commute. Yet, to truly understand the works of William Shakespeare, one might argue that the quiet cul-de-sac is precisely where his characters feel most alive. Far from being an ivory-tower exercise, reading the Elizabethan canon against the backdrop of modern suburban life reveals a shocking truth. The human heart remains unchanged. It battles with the exact same ambitions, fears, and frailties that obsessed the playwright over four centuries ago. Shakespeare’s Macbeth Consider the iconic image of Macbeth encountering the three witches on a desolate heath. It’s a scene immortalized in classical art where armored men on horseback reel back in shock from supernatural prophets. On the surface, this imagery feels light-years away from a suburban subdivision. And yet, the psychological anatomy of Macbeth’s descent is intensely domestic. The internal dialogue of unchecked ambition, the quiet rationalization of moral compromise, and the creeping dread of consequences do not require a Scottish throne room. They can happen just as easily across a kitchen island or inside a quiet home office late at night. The weird sisters whispering prophecies of greatness are mirrored in modern life by the relentless cultural pressures to achieve. King Lear’s Misjudgment of His Children When we open a volume of Shakespeare, the distance between the sixteenth-century stage and the twenty-first-century lawn collapses. The suburban environment with its heavy emphasis on conformity and respectability provides a testing ground for tragedy. Iago’s subtle manipulations and toxic envy find their modern equivalents in politics, gossip, and the quiet resentments behind closed doors. King Lear’s tragic misjudgment of his children echoes in the universal anxieties of aging, and the desperate search for legacy. The stakes may appear smaller. They’re measured in property values and school districts rather than kingdoms and crowns but the emotional resonance is identical. Reading Shakespeare in Suburbia Furthermore, reading Shakespeare in suburbia changes how we interact with our immediate surroundings. It strips away the sterile academic intimidation that often turns classical literature into a chore to be checked off a syllabus. Instead, the verse becomes a lens through which the mundane details of daily existence are rendered extraordinary. The polite wave to a neighbor takes on a layer of complex subtext; the solitary evening walk under streetlights feels heavy with introspection. We begin to recognize that our neighbors are not merely background characters in a quiet life, but complex individuals harboring their own private comedies and tragedies.    Immutable Patterns of Human Behavior Ultimately, literature serves as a mirror. The suburban landscape offers a surface polished to a clear, sometimes uncomfortable reflection. Shakespeare did not write merely about royalty or historical epochs. He wrote about the immutable patterns of human behavior. By bringing his texts into the quiet corners of modern domestic life, we bridge the gap between antiquity and the everyday. We discover that drama is not something reserved for history books or theatrical stages, but an inescapable part of being human, waiting to be noticed right outside our front doors.

  • My traumatic transformation into a Lassi (butter milk) hydration unit

    ByJustpaste.in

    So, once I tagged along with a buddy to his sister’s place in this super rural village. Lovely folks, honestly—total heart-eyes. My buddy’s brother-in-law? Instant BFF. We vibe) We arrive at the house … “Lassi lao!” We chill for a bit… Lassi lao!” Evening rolls in. My new friend goes, “Yo, let’s hit up the dera (aka Cow Central).” We get to the dera… “Lassi lao!” We wander around, side-eyeing cows and buffaloes like city tourists. Sit back down… “Lassi lao!” Dinner time? “Lassi lao!” Morning alarm: sunrise. Breakfast spread: butter, desi ghee (clarified butter) — fried parathas, eggs, village chicken — the whole “we’ll clog your arteries” buffet. Finish eating … “Lassi lao!” Me, finally snapping: “BRUH. TURN OFF THE LASSI TAP. I BEG YOU.” “Fine. Chai lao!” I bark. Brother-in-law, grinning: “Shah Ji, why you mad, bro? Lassi lao’s our Shah ji ritual!” (Shah ji = imaginary VIP? Idk. Village things.) Friend suddenly remembers I’m a city slicker. Whispers to his sister: “Y’all got… tea leaves?” Sister, deadpan: “We don’t ‘do’ tea leaves here. It’s never on the ration list.” They somehow scrape up tea leaves. I sip the chai… and immediately slam the cup down: “LASSI LAO!” The breakfast table ERUPTS. Everyone’s howling, chanting: “Lassi lao, oye! Lassi lao!”

  • Electricity Crisis: A Burden on the People

    ByJustpaste.in

    Through the pages of your newspaper, I would like to draw attention to the serious electricity crisis in our area. Frequent and prolonged power outages have made daily life extremely difficut for students, workers shopkeepers and ordinary families. The lack of electricity affects education, businesses, hospitals and household activities. During hot weather the situation becomes even more difficult especially for children and elderly people. The authorities should take immediate steps to reduce unnecessary load-shedding, improve the power supply system and repair faulty infrastructure. A proper and fair schedule should also be followed so that people can plan their daily activities. Electricity is not a luxury it is an essential need in modern life. The concerned authorities must take effective action to provide a reliable electricity supply to the public

  • Online overuse affects mental health

    ByJustpaste.in

    Spending too much time online has become a common habit for many people but it may negatively affect mental well being and everyday life. A study conducted in Germany found that excessive internet use can lead to higher stress levels irritability and less interest in other important activities. Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen surveyed around 900 people to learn about their internet habits. Based on the amount of time they spent online participants were divided into three groups. For two weeks each participant completed a short survey every evening. They reported their mood stress levels desire to use the internet and the total time they spent online that day. The researchers also examined how much people enjoyed using the internet and whether it affected their work hobbies studies or personal responsibilities. The study found that people who spent the most time online were more likely to feel stressed become easily irritated, and ignore other parts of their daily lives. Researchers also discovered that many heavy internet users felt a strong urge to go online because it gave them comfort and enjoyment. According to the researchers the findings show that excessive internet use can influence many areas of life and the risks are greater for people who spend long hours online regularly.

  • |

    Walking through time: A personal journey inside Na…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The rain had just stopped when I reached Lahore’s National History Museum. The roads were quieter than usual, the air felt fresh and, for the first time in weeks, I wasn’t in a hurry. I had postponed this visit for years, ever since a brief stop during my internship at the Lahore Museum left me wishing for more time. This Sunday, I finally had it. I have also realised something over the past few weeks. Waiting for friends before exploring new places often means never going at all. So I decided to spend the afternoon on my own, following nothing except curiosity. As I entered the museum, Floor Supervisor Tabish welcomed me and arranged a guided tour with Muhammad Shamsher, a PhD scholar in History who also serves as one of NHM’s guides. His explanations never sounded like a lecture. Instead, he connected historical events with the people behind them, making every gallery feel like part of one continuing story. Growing up, I believed museums were places where objects sat behind glass while visitors quietly read information panels. That idea came from childhood visits to museums in Islamabad, Taxila and Harappa, and later from my internship at Lahore Museum. The National History Museum challenged that idea completely. Through digital displays, sound, projection and interactive exhibits, history became something to experience rather than simply observe. Every gallery encouraged visitors to slow down and become part of the story unfolding around them. One exhibit that caught my attention focused on the making of Minar-e-Pakistan. Like many Pakistanis, I had always admired the monument without knowing much about the person who designed it. The museum introduced architect Nasreddin Murat-Khan and displayed photographs that offered a glimpse into the creative process behind one of Pakistan’s most recognisable landmarks. It reminded me how often we celebrate monuments while forgetting the people who imagined them. The journey then moved towards Partition, where history became deeply personal. The restored railway carriage, once part of the North Western Railway, stood quietly inside the gallery. Visitors could step inside and experience a virtual reality presentation recreating the migration of 1947. I had watched countless documentaries and films about Partition, but sitting inside that carriage created an entirely different feeling. The sounds, voices and uncertainty surrounding the experience made history feel much closer than any textbook ever could. The museum then shifted from the birth of Pakistan to the challenge of building a new country. One gallery recreated the early government offices established after independence. I found myself studying old files, furniture and official records, imagining the enormous responsibility carried by those tasked with running a newly created nation. Nearby, early Pakistani passports were displayed inside glass cases. Different in design from today’s passports, they represented the same hope of a country beginning to define its identity. Another section I found especially engaging was Camera from the Past. Visitors could stand before a vintage-style camera and have their photograph taken, creating a small connection between the present and the past. The gallery also highlighted photographer Aziz Ahmed Azmi, whose images documented Pakistan’s early years. Looking at his work, I realised that photographs often become history long after the moment they capture has passed. Perhaps the gallery where I spent the most time was Popular Culture. Having studied Mass Communication with a specialisation in Theatre, Film and Television and continuing to work in journalism, I naturally found myself drawn towards the colourful Lollywood posters and displays celebrating Pakistan’s cinematic heritage. Reading about Azra, the country’s first colour film, and Zinda Laash, Pakistan’s first horror film, reminded me how rich our film history is, even if many younger audiences know little about it today. Before leaving, I also explored Husn-e-Hunar, an exhibition celebrating Pakistan’s traditional craftsmanship. Alongside literature, music and cultural displays, it served as a reminder that a nation’s identity is shaped not only by political events but also by its artists, craftsmen and storytellers. When I stepped back outside, I realised I had spent far longer inside the museum than I had planned. I didn’t leave with pages of notes or dozens of photographs. Instead, I left with a greater appreciation for how history can be presented when museums invite visitors to participate rather than simply observe. The National History Museum doesn’t just preserve Pakistan’s past. It encourages visitors to pause, ask questions and discover the stories that continue to shape the country today.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *