Azad Jammu Kashmir

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    Maryam Aurangzeb says PML-N Can address Azad Kashm…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has the ability to address the long-standing challenges and deprivations faced by the people of Azad Kashmir. She urged party workers to support PML-N candidates and work for their success. Addressing a rally in Rawalpindi, Maryam Aurangzeb highlighted what she described as the development achievements of PML-N governments and said the party has always focused on infrastructure, public welfare, and improving living standards. She criticized political opponents and said that development should be judged by practical projects rather than statements. Referring to major infrastructure initiatives, she challenged critics to deliver projects similar to the motorways built during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure and the metro services introduced during Shahbaz Sharif’s government. Maryam Aurangzeb said that development work has not been limited to Lahore, claiming that roads and infrastructure projects have been completed across Punjab. She added that the government’s focus remains on expanding facilities and improving public services. The Punjab minister also mentioned development initiatives associated with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, including public transport projects in Azad Kashmir. She said that green buses are now operating on the streets of Muzaffarabad, providing improved transportation facilities for residents. She further claimed that within 18 months, the Punjab government provided housing opportunities to around 200,000 people under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” initiative. According to her, educational support programs have also been expanded, including the distribution of laptops to 100,000 students and Honhaar scholarships for 50,000 students. Maryam Aurangzeb emphasized that PML-N’s approach is based on development, education, and public welfare. She called on party supporters to actively participate in political activities and strengthen the party’s position. Her remarks came during ongoing political activities, where parties are presenting their development plans and seeking public support. The issue of development and addressing regional challenges remains a key focus in political discussions across Pakistan. PML-N leaders have repeatedly highlighted infrastructure and welfare projects as central parts of their political agenda, while opponents continue to debate the effectiveness and impact of these initiatives.

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    Azad Kashmir: Police arrest IPP candidate Ali Shan…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have arrested Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Ali Shan Soni following allegations of interference in the electoral process during polling in Bhimber district. Authorities say the arrest was made after reports that ballot boxes were removed from multiple polling stations. According to Mirpur Commissioner Tahir Mumtaz, Ali Shan Soni, accompanied by several supporters, allegedly removed ballot boxes from four polling stations during the election. The commissioner confirmed the arrest and said legal action was initiated over the alleged disruption of the voting process. Election officials stated that the incident prompted an immediate response from law enforcement agencies to ensure the integrity of the polling process. Authorities have not released further details regarding the investigation, but officials indicated that the matter will proceed in accordance with the applicable election laws. Ali Shan Soni was contesting the election from LA-6 Samahni on the ticket of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. The constituency witnessed a competitive race, with unofficial election results indicating that Chaudhry Muhammad Razaq secured the lead. Based on unofficial results from 156 polling stations, Chaudhry Muhammad Razaq received more than 30,000 votes, placing him in first position. Ali Shan Soni was reported to have received 17,974 votes, putting him in second place. Election-related incidents are closely monitored by authorities to maintain transparency and public confidence in the democratic process. Any allegations of interference, including the unauthorized handling or removal of ballot boxes, are generally subject to investigation under election regulations. Officials have emphasized that legal proceedings will determine the facts surrounding the incident. No further official statement has been issued regarding the charges or the next stage of the investigation. The arrest has drawn attention to the importance of safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring that voting is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. Election authorities and law enforcement agencies are expected to continue reviewing the incident while maintaining security and order throughout the completion of the electoral process. As the investigation continues, officials have urged the public to rely on verified information from relevant authorities and await the outcome of the legal proceedings before drawing conclusions about the allegations.

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    PM Shehbaz congratulates PML-N after strong AJK el…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership and its supporters after the party emerged with a clear lead in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement on Tuesday, the prime minister described the successful completion of the first phase as a positive development for the democratic process and praised voters and political parties for their participation. Shehbaz Sharif said political parties took part in the elections with enthusiasm, calling their active participation an important sign that the democratic process had been carried out successfully. Praise for PML-N campaign Congratulating the PML-N on its performance, the prime minister credited the party’s leadership and election team for what he described as a highly successful campaign in AJK. He particularly praised PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, saying the party’s campaign had been conducted under his leadership and had succeeded in gaining a clear advantage during the first phase of voting. The prime minister’s remarks came as attention remained focused on the election results and the political direction emerging from the initial phase. PM urges voters to maintain enthusiasm Shehbaz Sharif also called on people to participate in the next phase of the electoral process with the same enthusiasm. He said continued public participation would help strengthen and complete the democratic process, stressing that voters’ engagement remained central to the success of elections. The prime minister’s statement also highlighted the importance of political competition and participation in AJK, where elections are closely watched because of the region’s political and constitutional significance. The first phase of polling saw political parties compete for public support while voters exercised their right to choose their representatives. For the PML-N, the reported lead provides an important political boost and could shape momentum heading into the next stage of the elections. With the second phase still ahead, the focus is now expected to shift toward voter turnout, campaign strategies and whether the PML-N can maintain its advantage. The final electoral picture will depend on the results of all phases, but the opening round has already provided a significant political moment for the ruling party. Unofficial and Unconfirmed Results LA-1 Mirpur-1 According to the results from all 139 polling stations in LA-1 Mirpur-1, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Azhar Sadiq was declared the winner after securing 15,427 votes, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Muhammad Afsar Shahid came second with 9,832 votes. LA-2 Mirpur-2 After results from all 149 polling stations were completed, PPP’s Qasim Majid won the constituency with 12,904 votes, while PML-N candidate Azim Bakhsh Chaudhry secured 8,182 votes. LA-3 Mirpur-3 The PPP also won LA-3 Mirpur-3. According to results from all 161 polling stations, Chaudhry Yasir Sultan secured 11,676 votes to win, while PML-N candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed received 9,832 votes. LA-4 Mirpur-4 With results from all 162 polling stations completed, PML-N’s Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed won with 20,172 votes, while PPP candidate Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad came second with 13,865 votes. LA-5 Bhimber-1 PML-N candidate Waqar Ahmed Noor won LA-5 with 30,259 votes, while PPP candidate Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf secured 29,574 votes. LA-6 Bhimber-2 According to results from 100 of the 195 polling stations, PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Razzaq was maintaining his lead with 21,210 votes, while Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party candidate Ali Shan Chaudhry was second with 11,354 votes. LA-7 Bhimber-3 After results from all 237 polling stations were completed, PML-N’s Chaudhry Tariq Farooq was declared the winner with 35,490 votes, while independent candidate Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq came second with 25,100 votes. LA-8 Kotli-1 According to unofficial results from all 155 polling stations, PPP candidate Zafar Iqbal Malik won with 19,535 votes, while PML-N’s Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan secured 11,966 votes. LA-9 Kotli-2 With results from all 178 polling stations completed, PML-N candidate Umair Naeem won with 31,080 votes, while PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi received 28,509 votes. LA-10 Kotli-3 According to results from all 169 polling stations, PPP’s Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin won with 12,431 votes, while PML-N candidate Fateh Mahmood-ul-Hassan came second with 9,245 votes. LA-11 Kotli-4 PML-N candidate Muhammad Asif won LA-11 Kotli-4 with 26,190 votes, according to results from all 206 polling stations. PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq secured 21,751 votes and finished second. LA-12 Kotli-5 Unofficial and unconfirmed results from all 207 polling stations showed PML-N candidate Muhammad Riasat Khan winning with 35,168 votes, while PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin came second with 30,320 votes. LA-13 Kotli-6 After results from all 193 polling stations were completed, PML-N candidate Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan won with 21,856 votes. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party candidate Nisar Ansar Abdali finished second with 15,859 votes. Maryam Aurangzeb’s Statement on X Punjab Senior Minister and PML-N leader Maryam Aurangzeb wrote on social media platform X that Mirpur had already announced its decision in favour of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif when they visited the city on July 24, and that voters had now formally endorsed that decision by voting for the lion, PML-N’s electoral symbol. She said the people of Muzaffarabad had also already expressed their decision on July 21, adding that on August 2, Kashmiris would formally reaffirm their decision by voting for the lion. Maryam Aurangzeb concluded her statement by saying that, God willing, the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is linked with PML-N.

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    The aftermath of Free (Azad) Kashmir

    ByJustpaste.in

    For centuries, poets have romanticized Kashmir. The famous Persian couplet claimed: “Agar firdaus bar roo-e-zameen ast, hameen ast-o, hameen ast-o, hameen ast” If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this. Our national rhetoric held this idea and declared Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as an Eden of resilient souls. We were taught to view the region through a single prism from our classrooms to our living rooms. Kashmir is a land of dignity waiting for liberation. We rightly raised our voices in moral outrage against Indian state violence.  We condemned the pellet guns in Srinagar. We  called out internet blackouts as crimes against basic humanity. Yet today, as the late Kashmiri poet Agha Shahid Ali lamented: “Kashmiri people are being rowed through Paradise in a river of Hell.” When the same heavy boots, digital blockades, and live gunfire echo through Rawalakot, Kotli, and Mirpur, our collective morality falls into a deafening silence. Finally, the elections have settled down with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) securing its lead amid heavy security deployments. Still, the official state narrative speaks of democratic continuity and institutional order.  Beyond the victory speeches lies a darker reality. Elections held under the shadow of civil crackdowns are not a triumph of democracy. In fact, they are an exercise in management. The citizens of Azad Kashmir have not taken to the streets over abstract political games. Their demands were fundamental, human, and modest organized under grassroots movements like the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). They protested peacefully for affordable flour, fair electricity tariffs, local economic dignity, and genuine political representation. Instead of earnest dialogue, the state answered by banning civil rights, mobile internet access, and deploying paramilitary forces. The cost of this refusal to listen is written in blood. Over months of recurring unrest, clashes between security forces and civilian demonstrators have left dozens dead. The deaths consumed local traders, young protesters, and security personnel alongside over 100 people wounded across the region. Reports of continuous firing near Rawalakot confirm a tragic pattern. Whenever citizens ask for basic constitutional rights, they are met with gunshots.  It is painful to admit this hypocrisy, but honesty demands it. As ordinary citizens living in Punjab, we cannot spend our lives idealizing human rights movements across the border while remaining selectively blind to Kashmir. When Delhi cut the internet in the Kashmir Valley, we rightfully called it authoritarian. What name do we give to the blackouts imposed on Muzaffarabad and Poonch? When Indian police opened fire on demonstrators, we called it state violence. How do we rationalize our forces opening fire on citizens asking for fair economic treatment? We must acknowledge that living outside the valley does not grant us the privilege of silence. True solidarity cannot be a convenient geopolitical slogan. Azad (Free) Kashmir must’ve to be anything more than an empty prefix. Its people must possess the freedom to speak, to dissent, to connect, and to live without fear of a bullet. There mustn’t be such an electoral victory that carries legitimacy at the expense of Kashmiri lives. These political wins will remain hollow until the blockades are lifted and the state listens with humility rather than force.  

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    Maryam Nawaz’s electric bus gift to AJK sparks d…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s decision to provide 10 electric buses to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has ignited a political and constitutional debate over the use of provincial resources outside Punjab. The controversy intensified after the buses arrived in Muzaffarabad just days before the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Maryam Nawaz shared a video on social media announcing that the green electric buses had reached Muzaffarabad. The buses carried banners featuring her photograph alongside the message, “A gift from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.” The announcement came only two days before polling in the Mirpur Division, where election campaigning was underway. At the time, Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif were in the region to campaign for their party’s candidates. The timing of the announcement prompted criticism from political opponents and legal observers, who questioned whether public resources should be used during an active election campaign. The issue has also sparked a broader debate over whether a provincial government can spend taxpayer-funded resources outside its constitutional jurisdiction. Critics argue that the Punjab government’s primary responsibility is to serve the residents of Punjab, while supporters maintain that intergovernmental cooperation and public welfare projects are permissible under certain circumstances. Senior PML-N leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah defended the party’s participation in the election campaign. Speaking to local media, he stated that because Azad Jammu and Kashmir does not have a caretaker government during elections, federal and provincial ministers are legally allowed to campaign. However, Rana Sanaullah also acknowledged concerns about the electoral process. He suggested that the newly elected AJK Legislative Assembly should consider legal reforms to prevent governments in power from influencing elections through official positions or public resources. The controversy has renewed discussions about election ethics, transparency, and the appropriate use of taxpayer funds during political campaigns. Legal experts note that while development assistance between governments is not uncommon, the timing and political context of such announcements often determine whether they are viewed as administrative decisions or campaign-related activities. As political debate continues, the electric bus initiative has become a key issue in discussions about governance, constitutional authority, and the responsible use of provincial resources ahead of elections.

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    Rana Sanaullah compares AJK protesters to former m…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has compared some protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to militant groups that Pakistan had trained in the past, claiming that certain elements later turned against the country. Speaking during an interview Sanaullah alleged that individuals associated with armed organisations had become involved in the ongoing unrest in AJK. He claimed that these groups possessed weapons and were attempting to exploit public gatherings to create instability rather than pursue legitimate political objectives. According to the prime minister’s adviser, the protesters do not have genuine political demands and are instead using ordinary citizens as a shield while pursuing what he described as a broader agenda. He suggested that the situation involved elements who wanted to take advantage of public sentiment and use the protests to challenge the state. Sanaullah also defended the actions of law enforcement agencies, arguing that the authorities had few alternatives in dealing with what he characterised as an armed threat. He said security forces had to respond when groups carrying weapons created a law-and-order situation and posed a threat to public safety. The adviser maintained that the government could not allow armed groups to operate freely under the cover of protests. He said law enforcement agencies would continue to take action whenever necessary to maintain order and protect citizens. His comments come at a time of heightened political and social tensions in AJK, where protests have sparked a wider debate about public grievances, governance, law enforcement, and the government’s response. The situation has also raised questions about how authorities should balance the right to peaceful protest with the need to prevent violence and maintain public order. Sanaullah’s remarks are expected to fuel further discussion about the nature of the ongoing demonstrations and the role of political and armed elements in the unrest. While the government has emphasised the need for strict action against violence and armed activity, critics have continued to call for dialogue and political engagement to address the underlying concerns of the people of AJK.

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    Azma Bukhari slams PPP over Kashmir election defea…

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    Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has criticised Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying voters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) had backed development and modernisation and that political parties should respect the public mandate. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said the people of the Mirpur Division had made their choice through the ballot and supported the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). She urged rival parties to accept the election results with an open heart, saying respect for the people’s decision was an essential part of democratic politics. Bukhari claimed that the election outcome had increased frustration within an unnamed political party. Referring to Bilawal’s recent remarks, she accused him of trying to mock the PML-N leadership while avoiding a discussion of his party’s performance in Sindh. She challenged the PPP chairman to present the achievements of his party’s 18-year rule in Sindh, particularly in Karachi. She questioned why the city still lacked an effective public transport system and why municipal authorities struggled to manage waste collection. Comparing the performance of the Punjab and Sindh governments, Bukhari highlighted several initiatives launched under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, including public transport projects, the provision of laptops and scholarships to students, air ambulance services, improved drainage equipment and development schemes across the province. She also pointed to projects in southern Punjab, including public transport initiatives and the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, arguing that the region had received greater attention under the PML-N government. Bukhari further criticised the PPP’s record on education, saying students in Sindh continued to raise concerns over access to educational opportunities, while the Punjab government had expanded scholarship and laptop programmes for young people. She also defended the Punjab government’s response to heavy rainfall, saying authorities had equipped the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) with modern machinery to deal with urban flooding and drainage challenges. Bukhari invited Bilawal to visit Punjab and see its development projects firsthand, saying he should compare the performance of the two provinces before criticising Punjab’s infrastructure. Turning to the AJK election results, she said the people had clearly expressed their preference through their votes and urged all political parties to accept the outcome rather than question the public’s choice.

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    Bilawal vows to fight alleged poll rigging in AJK

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    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), without naming the party directly, of relying on electoral manipulation to gain power and warned that his party would resist any attempt to rig the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said the large turnout at the gathering showed that his party was heading towards victory in the August 2 elections. He urged party workers to remain active and mobilise voters, expressing confidence that the “arrow” — the PPP’s electoral symbol — would emerge victorious. Bilawal alleged that certain political groups had historically benefited from manipulated elections and now believed they could use the same tactics in AJK. He said the people of Kashmir would not allow such efforts to succeed and that PPP workers and voters would stand against any attempt to undermine the electoral process. Referring to his party’s political rivals, Bilawal claimed that their rise to power had often followed controversial election processes. He said the PPP had repeatedly faced electoral challenges but continued to win public support despite what he described as unfair political practices. The PPP chairman also raised allegations of rigging in the constituency of senior party leader Chaudhry Yasin. He claimed that polling agents and workers had reported irregularities at around 30 polling stations, alleging that the stations were occupied and votes were unlawfully cast. Bilawal said he had evidence regarding the alleged irregularities and called on the Election Commission to order immediate re-polling at the affected polling stations if it had no involvement in the alleged misconduct. He maintained that the PPP would accept defeat if voters rejected the party through a transparent and fair election. However, he said the party would not accept what he called a “stolen election” and would continue to challenge any result that emerged through alleged manipulation. Bilawal also pledged to fight for the restoration of what he described as the “stolen seats” of Kashmir and promised to pursue the rights of the people through democratic and constitutional means. He said the PPP wanted to secure ownership and political rights for the people of AJK through the power of the ballot rather than through armed struggle. He urged voters to support the party’s electoral campaign and vowed that the PPP would continue its efforts to raise the Kashmir issue at the international level. Bilawal said the Bhutto family and the PPP had worked for three generations to highlight the Kashmir cause globally, adding that his party would continue to advocate for the rights and aspirations of the people of the region through political and diplomatic channels.

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    Bilawal rejects AJK election results, demands re-p…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has rejected the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, alleging widespread electoral irregularities and demanding fresh polling in the constituency contested by senior PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin. Addressing a workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, Bilawal said his party would not accept what it  described as a manipulated election outcome. He claimed there was substantial evidence of irregularities in several polling stations and called on the election authorities to order an immediate re-poll in the disputed constituency. Bilawal alleged that around 30 polling stations in Chaudhry Yasin’s constituency were unlawfully occupied during the voting process. According to him, videos circulating on social media and obtained by the party show individuals allegedly stamping ballot papers illegally and interfering with the electoral process. He further claimed that these polling stations recorded an unusually high voter turnout of approximately 90 percent, raising questions about the credibility of the results. The PPP chairman argued that the reported turnout, combined with the alleged video evidence, justified a fresh vote to ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. Criticizing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Bilawal accused the party of benefiting from electoral manipulation. He also made sharp political remarks against the ruling party, alleging that it had a long history of relying on rigged elections. His comments have further intensified the political dispute surrounding the AJK election results. The PPP leadership has urged the relevant election authorities to investigate the alleged irregularities and review the evidence presented by the party. Bilawal maintained that a transparent inquiry and re-polling in the affected constituency are essential to protect the integrity of the democratic process. The PML-N has not issued a detailed response to Bilawal’s latest allegations at the time of writing. Election authorities have also not announced any decision regarding the demand for re-polling. The dispute has added to the political tension following the Azad Kashmir elections, with rival parties exchanging accusations over the fairness of the electoral process. The coming days are expected to be crucial as the Election Commission reviews complaints submitted by political parties and determines whether any further action is warranted. If approved, re-polling in the disputed constituency could have implications for the final political landscape in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

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    Uzma Bukhari rejects Bilawal’s rigging claims, u…

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    Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has strongly rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s allegations of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, saying political parties should respect the public’s mandate and pursue legal channels if they have complaints. Responding to Bilawal’s criticism of the election process, Bukhari questioned why the PPP was accusing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of electoral manipulation despite the AJK government and administrative machinery being under its own jurisdiction. “My question is this: the prime minister is yours, the police are yours, yet you are accusing the PML-N of rigging,” she said. She also alleged that in Nawabshah, opposition candidates contesting against the PPP often face intimidation, adding that Bilawal should address such concerns before making allegations against others. The provincial minister noted that two phases of the Azad Kashmir elections are still to be held and advised the PPP to approach the courts if it believes electoral irregularities have occurred. “If you have complaints, go to the courts and adopt the legal course,” she said. Bukhari emphasized that accepting election outcomes is a fundamental principle of democracy. She criticized the PPP for refusing to accept the results while presenting itself as a strong supporter of democratic values. She also criticized Bilawal’s speech, saying it appeared to imitate the rhetoric of other political leaders and that the language he used was inappropriate for a democratic debate. Turning her attention to governance in Sindh, Bukhari questioned the PPP’s performance during its long tenure in the province. She accused the party of failing to address Karachi’s water supply issues, alleging that the city had effectively been left in the hands of the tanker mafia. She further challenged the PPP leadership to present examples of development projects completed in Sindh, arguing that the party frequently criticizes other provinces while failing to highlight its own achievements. Comparing Punjab and Sindh, Bukhari claimed Punjab had made greater progress in public services, citing initiatives such as air ambulance services and school meal programs. She also questioned how the Sindh government had utilized its reported Rs. 1.7 trillion budget, asking officials to identify the major development projects completed with those funds. The exchange of statements has intensified political tensions following the AJK elections, with both the PPP and PML-N continuing to trade accusations over the electoral process and governance issues.