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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to accept its defeat in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections instead of making allegations of rigging. In a video statement, Maryam responded to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s criticism of the election results. She said the PPP should accept the outcome “with an open heart” and focus on its political responsibilities. Maryam said complaints and accusations would not change the election results. She also advised the PPP to concentrate on governance rather than questioning the electoral process. Her statement came after Bilawal strongly criticised the PML-N and raised questions about the conduct of the AJK elections. Speaking at a workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal questioned whether the situation in AJK could be described as genuine democracy. Bilawal claimed that PPP candidates had received strong public support and suggested that the party’s performance did not reflect the votes and expectations of the people. He also questioned whether political interests were being prioritised over the wider interests of AJK. The remarks triggered a political exchange between the two parties following the completion of polling in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. According to unofficial and provisional results, the PML-N emerged as the leading party by winning nine of the 13 constituencies contested in the first phase. The PPP secured the remaining four seats across the Mirpur division. The results prompted celebrations among PML-N workers and supporters, while the PPP raised concerns over the electoral process. The first phase covered constituencies in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Voting was held on July 27, with polling time extended by one hour after the scheduled closing time. The electoral contest has intensified political competition between the PML-N and PPP in AJK.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that a meeting with the party’s founder is essential for improving the current political situation. Speaking to reporters near Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Gohar said political tensions could not be reduced through the registration of cases and continued confrontation. He was responding to questions about a case registered against Noreen Bibi. Gohar said statements made by Noreen Niazi should be viewed as her personal opinion. He added that she had already clarified her position. He also stressed the importance of Kashmir for Pakistan, saying the region held a special place in the country’s national interest. The PTI chairman criticised the political approach of the country’s two major parties. He said their political activities had contributed to the current situation. Gohar also defended PTI’s decision to boycott the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He said the party had called for a better political environment before participating in the electoral process. He stressed that free and fair elections were necessary for Pakistan to move forward. According to him, political parties should avoid unnecessary point-scoring at a time when the country needs stability. Gohar also made PTI’s position on terrorism clear. He said the party would not support the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan under any circumstances. He described TTP members as terrorists and said action against terrorism was necessary. At the same time, Gohar said peaceful political protests should be handled differently. He emphasised that peaceful demonstrations should not be treated in the same manner as acts of terrorism or violence. He said PTI would also hold discussions with Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. He expressed hope that allied political parties would stand together on August 5. Speaking about national security, Gohar referred to the recent conflict with India. He described Pakistan’s response as a matter of national pride and said the country would respond strongly if India attempted similar action in the future. Gohar also commented on Aleema Khan’s political activities. He said PTI’s important members of the National and Provincial Assemblies were supporting her. He again defended the party’s boycott of the AJK elections. Gohar claimed that voter turnout remained very low, estimating it at around 5 to 7 per cent. He said PTI had decided not to support demands that it considered against the state or the Kashmir cause. He maintained that the election boycott was a carefully considered political decision. Gohar said the current situation required politicians to listen to the people instead of focusing solely on political competition. He stressed that public concerns should remain at the centre of political decision-making.

Lahore police have registered a case against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sarwar Road Police Station and 10 other personnel following a raid at the residence of Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan. According to police, the officers had information about a house adjacent to the Attorney General’s residence. However, they allegedly entered the wrong property during the operation. The FIR states that the SHO and 11 police personnel were charged for allegedly exceeding their authority during the raid. The incident has also prompted further action against the officials involved. Awan’s driver, Irfan, claimed that the SHO and other police officers entered the house by jumping over the gate. He further alleged that the police took away the CCTV camera system during the raid. According to the driver, only domestic staff were present at the residence when the police arrived. The Attorney General reached home after finishing a meeting after being informed about the incident. Irfan also alleged that the police later returned the digital video recorder (DVR) after deleting CCTV footage from the system. The raid reportedly caused damage to property outside the residence, including flower pots placed near the entrance. Police officials said the raid was conducted based on information concerning the neighbouring house and that the officers mistakenly entered Awan’s residence. Meanwhile, the SHO of Sarwar Road Police Station has obtained interim bail from the court in connection with the case.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has strongly criticised Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon over his remarks about the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Azma Bukhari told Memon to “drink cold water and pour some on his head,” saying the election was over and the people of AJK had already delivered their verdict. She said the election results had proved the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) calculations wrong and dismissed its allegations regarding pre-poll rigging. Bukhari claimed that a PML-N candidate had recovered bags containing ballot papers from the residence of a PPP candidate one night before polling. Taking a sharp jibe at the PPP, she said its “arrow had disappeared in the valleys of Kashmir,” while the PML-N’s “lion” was roaring across the region. She said AJK voters had given their verdict in favour of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif during the first phase of the elections. Bukhari urged the PPP to learn to accept defeat instead of raising allegations whenever it loses an election. She said political parties should celebrate victories but also show maturity in defeat. She further questioned the PPP’s position on elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. Bukhari asked whether the party considered those elections transparent because it had formed the government there. She said it was unfair to describe an election as transparent when a party wins and allege rigging when it loses.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has defended the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He described the polling process as peaceful, free, fair and credible. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Sanaullah said voters had exercised their democratic right across 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division on July 27. According to unofficial results, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won nine seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured four seats. Sanaullah congratulated the winning candidates. He also praised the Election Commission, AJK administration and security agencies for managing the election process. He said the polls were held despite a challenging security situation. He added that the authorities took steps to maintain law and order throughout polling. The prime minister’s aide urged opposition parties to respect the voters’ decision. However, he said they were free to challenge any alleged irregularities through constitutional and legal channels. Sanaullah said complaints regarding the election would be examined by the relevant authorities. He stressed that political parties should use legal forums instead of creating political tensions. He also said polling hours were extended by one hour. The extension was given to facilitate voters and allow more people to cast their ballots. He estimated voter turnout at between 40 and 60 per cent. Sanaullah said the election was largely peaceful. However, a serious incident occurred in LA-9 Nakyal. A dispute between members of the same family reportedly turned violent because of political differences. One person was killed and another was injured in the incident. Police arrested several suspects in connection with the shooting. Sanaullah also mentioned the killing of PML-N leader Malik Ashiq. He was shot during an election rally in Kotli on July 11. The government official further claimed that a candidate from LA-6 and members of his campaign team attempted to take ballot boxes after polling. He said the suspects were arrested and a case was registered. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam also addressed the press conference. He said the PML-N’s performance showed strong public support for the party. Muqam said the party would work to fulfil the promises made during its election campaign. Sanaullah attributed the PML-N’s success to teamwork and its political leadership. He also said development initiatives in Punjab had contributed to the party’s electoral performance. The election results have triggered political exchanges between the PML-N and PPP. The PPP has raised allegations of irregularities and accused the government of influencing the election process. The PML-N has rejected the allegations. It has also accused political opponents of attempting to manipulate the electoral process. The Election Commission has said that violations of electoral rules will be dealt with under the law. The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases. The first phase covered 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The second phase is scheduled for August 2. It will cover Muzaffarabad Division and refugee constituencies. The final phase will be held in Poonch Division on August 10. Sanaullah said the government was ready to address genuine complaints. He maintained that political parties should follow constitutional procedures while challenging election results.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for an impartial and independent investigation into reports of deaths and injuries during clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot. The violence was reported during the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections on July 27. The HRCP said it was deeply concerned by reports that several people had been killed and many others injured during the clashes. It stressed that the reported casualties must be investigated without political pressure. Videos showing unrest and violence have circulated on social media. However, the details and casualty figures shown in the reports could not be independently verified. The HRCP said authorities have a responsibility to maintain public order. However, that responsibility must not undermine the right to life or peaceful assembly. The rights body urged authorities to immediately stop further violence. It also called for restraint while dealing with protesters. The HRCP said anyone found responsible for unlawful use of force should be held accountable. It also stressed the need to restore public confidence ahead of the remaining phases of the AJK elections. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore also commented on the situation. He said the “blood of innocent Kashmiris” had been spilled and blamed the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for escalating tensions. The opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) also condemned the reported violence. It alleged that protesters had faced excessive force during demonstrations. The alliance said tensions in AJK had remained high for several weeks. It described the protesters’ demands as being linked to democratic rights, justice and the rule of law. According to TTAP, protesters had been demonstrating over issues including inflation and unemployment. The alliance claimed that efforts by political figures to engage with protesters and find a peaceful solution had faced restrictions. TTAP also referred to videos circulating online. It claimed that some footage showed unarmed people fleeing on roads amid gunfire. These claims could not be independently verified. The opposition alliance condemned what it described as violations of democratic and human rights principles. It called on political parties and citizens to oppose violence and support peaceful political engagement.

The death toll from monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides across Pakistan has risen to 110, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The authority said 360 people have been injured in rain-related incidents since June 26. Nearly 800 houses have also been damaged across the country. Most fatalities have been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by Punjab. Several areas have also faced flooding and damage caused by heavy rainfall. The NDMA briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the latest situation. The authority warned that northern parts of the country could face more flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods in the coming weeks. Rapidly melting glaciers have increased the risk in mountainous areas. Authorities have been asked to remain prepared for sudden flooding and other weather-related emergencies. Prime Minister Shehbaz directed officials to use all available resources to protect lives and property. He also stressed the importance of early warning systems and timely emergency measures. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast another strong monsoon spell from July 29. The system is expected to affect Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The upper catchment areas of major rivers may also receive heavy rainfall. The weather system is expected to continue until August 5. The weather department has warned of possible urban flooding. Rising water levels in rivers, hill streams and nullahs are also expected in vulnerable areas. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and follow official warnings during the latest spell of rainfall. Meanwhile, the Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 across the province for 60 days. The restrictions ban swimming, bathing and unauthorised boating at various water bodies. Pakistan faces heavy monsoon rainfall every year between late June and September. The season frequently causes flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage and loss of life.