Medical students mark UHS VC Rathore’s retirement

Polling in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections was extended by one hour on Monday. Voting in Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli continued until 6pm. The extension was announced as several polling stations faced disruptions and complaints. Political parties also raised concerns about alleged interference and security issues during the voting process. The first phase of the AJK elections covers all 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division. The division includes four seats in Mirpur, three in Bhimber and six in Kotli. More than 1.4 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase. Election authorities established 2,454 polling stations and 3,701 polling booths across the division. Around 22,000 election officials were assigned duties to manage the polling process. Security was also increased at polling stations across the region. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) raised several complaints during the day. PPP AJK Election Cell in-charge Sardar Abdul Shakoor called on the Election Commission to take immediate notice of disruptions at polling stations. Polling at Station 108 in LA-13 Kotli-VI was reportedly suspended for around two hours. Shakoor said the interruption was affecting voters and preventing them from exercising their right to vote. He demanded that polling be restored immediately. He also called for an investigation into the reasons behind the suspension. The PPP also alleged interference at several polling stations in LA-8 Raj Mahal and LA-12 Charhoi. The party claimed that some PML-N supporters were attempting to influence the polling process. The allegations included the presence of armed individuals near some polling stations. The PPP demanded stronger security arrangements to protect voters, polling staff and election material. Another serious incident was reported in LA-9 Nikyal. A PPP worker was killed during an incident that the party linked to alleged intimidation and the display of weapons. PPP officials identified the deceased as 35-year-old Mukhtar Younus. The party demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the incident. Shakoor alleged that weapons had been displayed in the area before polling day. He claimed that timely action by the authorities could have prevented the situation from worsening. The PPP also accused the federal government of interfering in the AJK elections. PPP Secretary General Nadeem Afzal Chan demanded that federal officials and government machinery remain neutral during the electoral process. He said political parties should be allowed to compete without outside interference. Chan also raised concerns over alleged use of state resources during the election campaign. He called for development announcements and other government activities that could influence voters to be stopped during the election period. The PPP has established an election monitoring cell in Islamabad. Senior party leaders are monitoring polling-related complaints through the cell. The monitoring team is also maintaining contact with election officials, district administrations, candidates and party representatives. The PPP said the purpose of the cell was to monitor the election process and report any violations. Meanwhile, the Election Commission took action against two presiding officers in Kotli. The officials were accused of failing to report to their assigned polling stations. They allegedly went to a private residence instead. An FIR was registered against both officials. They were arrested and later suspended from service. Election authorities said strict action would be taken against officials who violate election rules. They also warned that negligence and irregularities in the polling process would not be tolerated. Security remained a major focus during polling. Authorities declared 1,965 polling stations sensitive or highly sensitive. More than 19,000 security personnel were deployed across Mirpur Division. The force included around 17,000 police personnel. Around 2,100 Army personnel were also kept on standby. They could be deployed as a backup force if the security situation deteriorated. Despite the complaints and isolated incidents, polling continued at most stations. In LA-1 Dadyal, voting began in a peaceful atmosphere. Security arrangements were strengthened around all polling stations in the constituency. More than 105,000 voters are registered in Dadyal. The constituency has 139 polling stations and 234 polling booths. The first phase of the elections is being held under a revised schedule. Polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies is scheduled for August 2. The final phase will be held in Poonch Division on August 10. A total of 288 candidates are contesting the 13 seats in Mirpur Division. Election authorities have urged candidates, workers and voters to maintain peace and follow the electoral code of conduct.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has strongly rejected India’s criticism of the ongoing Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative elections, saying New Delhi has neither the legal standing nor the moral authority to question the democratic process in the region. Speaking at the weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed remarks made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which had described the AJK elections as a “farce.” He termed India’s comments baseless, politically motivated and an attempt to undermine a democratic process being conducted under the constitutional and legal framework of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Andrabi said the elections are taking place in a peaceful, transparent and orderly manner despite security challenges, reflecting the democratic aspirations and political will of the people of AJK. He added that Pakistan remains committed to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in the region. The spokesperson said India’s criticism comes as the seventh anniversary of New Delhi’s August 5, 2019 decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is being observed. He maintained that those unilateral measures violated international law, relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and India’s own international commitments. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised disputed territory, whose final status should be determined through a UN-supervised plebiscite in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Andrabi also accused India of attempting to divert global attention from alleged human rights violations and restrictions on political freedoms in occupied Kashmir. He said references to casualty figures and other claims made by Indian authorities cannot overshadow concerns raised by the international community over the situation in the region. Responding to another question regarding India’s reaction to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s recent remarks on Youm-e-Istehsal, Andrabi described the Indian statement as an effort to justify its policies in occupied Kashmir. He alleged that a heavy military presence, strict security laws and demographic changes continue to affect the Muslim-majority character of the territory. He further claimed that development projects promoted by India cannot replace the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination