National

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam has strongly rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s allegations regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He urged the PPP to accept the public mandate instead of questioning the election results. Addressing a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) public gathering in the Khawra area of Muzaffarabad, Muqam said the people of Mirpur had freely voted for the PML-N. He stated that the election outcome reflected the will of the people and should be respected by all political parties. Muqam said the PPP should review the reasons behind its electoral defeat instead of making accusations of rigging. According to him, the party should reflect on why voters chose another political party rather than blaming the election process. The federal minister also pointed out that the government and administrative setup in Azad Kashmir are under the influence of the PPP. He argued that, under such circumstances, allegations of election manipulation were difficult to justify. He maintained that political leaders should avoid making baseless claims and instead respect the democratic decision of the electorate. Responding to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s warning directed at the federal government, Muqam said repeated threats were not appropriate in a democratic system. He remarked that the PPP should remember it is itself part of the country’s political structure and continues to hold important constitutional positions. He further said that political stability should remain a priority and warned that if one government falls, the consequences could affect the entire political system. He stressed that responsible political leadership requires dialogue and respect for democratic institutions rather than confrontational statements. The exchange of remarks follows Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s speech in Muzaffarabad, where he warned that if the AJK elections were manipulated or the public mandate was ignored, the federal government’s “countdown” would begin. Bilawal had alleged that any attempt to undermine the election results would have political consequences and called for transparency in the electoral process. The controversy has intensified political tensions following the AJK elections, with leaders from different parties exchanging criticism over the results. Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal also responded to Bilawal’s allegations. He questioned why the PPP accepted election results when it formed governments elsewhere but raised allegations of rigging after losing in Azad Kashmir. Iqbal urged the PPP leadership to respect the outcome of the elections and accept the decision made by voters. He said political parties should strengthen democratic traditions by honoring the people’s mandate regardless of the results.

Pakistan’s military has categorically ruled out any future negotiations with terrorist groups, declaring that security forces will continue operations until militancy is eliminated. The announcement was made by Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, during a detailed media briefing on the country’s security situation and ongoing counterterrorism campaign. The military spokesperson said there was no possibility of holding talks with terrorists. He stressed that the state would not negotiate with those involved in violence against Pakistan. According to him, terrorists have only two choices: surrender before the law or face decisive action by the country’s security forces. Lt Gen Chaudhry said the armed forces would continue to engage directly with the people of Balochistan instead of individuals or groups involved in violence. He emphasized that the people of the province are the true stakeholders and that the military remains committed to protecting their lives and supporting their development. He also criticized certain influential elites and tribal leaders, claiming they had failed to promote the welfare of ordinary people. According to him, some powerful groups do not want children from poor families to progress through education and development. The military spokesperson further alleged that the Taliban administration in Afghanistan was providing support to terrorist groups carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. He said cross-border militancy remains one of the country’s major security challenges and continues to complicate efforts to maintain peace. Rejecting claims that the security situation in Balochistan is rapidly deteriorating, Lt Gen Chaudhry said a coordinated propaganda campaign was being carried out to create a false impression about conditions in the province. He maintained that while security challenges exist, the state is actively responding through intelligence-based operations and law enforcement measures. Speaking about Balochistan, he said the province’s unique geography presents operational challenges. Its vast territory, scattered population, and long distances between security posts require extensive coordination and resources. He added that security forces are dealing not only with terrorism but also with organized criminal activities, including drug trafficking, fuel smuggling, robbery, and other illegal networks that threaten stability. Addressing the issue of missing persons, the military spokesperson said the relevant commission had received hundreds of complaints. However, he noted that investigations had revealed that some individuals listed as missing were later found to have been killed during security operations, while others had joined militant organizations and were living in terrorist camps. Lt Gen Chaudhry presented detailed statistics on the country’s counterterrorism campaign. He said security forces have carried out 40,348 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan during the current year. These operations resulted in the killing of 2,084 confirmed terrorists, averaging approximately 10 militants eliminated every day. He added that security forces conduct nearly 194 operations daily as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle militant networks. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the main focus of these operations, with 1,971 intelligence-based missions conducted in the province alone. The military also shared figures regarding casualties suffered during the ongoing campaign. According to Lt Gen Chaudhry, 819 people embraced martyrdom during the year. These included 303 personnel of the Pakistan Army, 194 members of law enforcement agencies, and 322 civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks and security-related incidents. The ISPR chief further revealed that 28 suicide attacks had been recorded across Pakistan during the current year. He claimed Afghan nationals were involved in the recent suicide attacks in Tank and Karachi, describing the incidents as evidence of continued cross-border terrorist involvement. Highlighting the importance of national unity, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan’s Constitution and legal system apply equally to every citizen. He stressed that loyalty to the state is a fundamental responsibility and said national peace, political stability, and economic development depend on a strong and secure Pakistan.