Pattaya Officials Focus on E-Cigarette Laws and Youth Protection at National Health Conference

Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured a simple majority in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly after winning 13 of the 20 seats contested in the first two phases of the elections. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, Sanaullah said the election process had so far been completed on 20 constituencies. He said polling was first held on 13 seats and later conducted on seven more seats during the second phase. According to Sanaullah, the PML-N won 13 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured seven seats. He added that the PML-N also emerged victorious on 10 of the 12 refugee seats, taking the party’s total strength in the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly to 23 seats. He said the party now has the required numbers to form a simple majority government in Azad Kashmir. Sanaullah congratulated PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, party workers and all successful candidates on what he described as a major electoral success. The adviser said the victory reflected the confidence of the people of Azad Kashmir in the policies and leadership of the PML-N. He added that the new government would focus on fulfilling the promises made during the election campaign and would work for the development, prosperity and welfare of the region. Sanaullah rejected allegations of election rigging made by the Pakistan Peoples Party. He maintained that the elections were conducted in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner under the supervision of the Election Commission and relevant state institutions. He alleged that some opposition leaders started questioning the election results only after realising they were losing in several constituencies. He urged political parties to respect the democratic process and avoid making accusations without presenting evidence. Referring to incidents reported during polling, Sanaullah claimed that attempts were made in some areas to create unrest and discourage voter turnout. However, he said the administration, police and security agencies effectively handled the situation and ensured that polling continued smoothly. He also expressed confidence that the PML-N would perform strongly in the remaining phase of the elections. He said the party expects to win more seats when polling is held on the remaining constituencies, further strengthening its position in the legislative assembly. Meanwhile, Federal Minister Amir Muqam described the election outcome as a victory for democracy and the people of Azad Kashmir. He said voters actively participated in the electoral process despite concerns raised before polling and demonstrated their trust in the democratic system. Muqam praised the Election Commission, civil administration, police and security institutions for ensuring peaceful and orderly polling across the region. He said the successful completion of the first two phases reflected effective coordination among all institutions involved in the election process. The minister said the PML-N’s campaign was based on public service, development and good governance. He added that the party leadership remained fully engaged throughout the campaign, while workers reached out to voters across Azad Kashmir to present the party’s vision and manifesto.

Pakistan has strongly condemned recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad warned New Delhi against any move that could increase tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The Foreign Office said Singh’s comments were provocative and irresponsible. It said the remarks misrepresented the internationally recognised position on the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan maintained that the Jammu and Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. Islamabad said relevant UN resolutions remain an important part of the international framework surrounding the dispute. The Foreign Office said India could not change the disputed status of Kashmir through political statements. It also rejected what it described as attempts to present the issue as settled through unilateral claims. Pakistan warned India not to underestimate the resolve of its government and people. The Foreign Office said Islamabad was determined to protect the country’s interests and respond to any attempt at military adventurism. The statement also called on the international community to take notice of India’s policies. Pakistan specifically urged the United Nations to pay attention to what it described as India’s failure to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions. Islamabad said the Indian minister’s comments appeared to divert attention from other issues. The Foreign Office referred to Pakistan’s allegations concerning the situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The statement also accused India of contributing to regional instability. Pakistan said threatening rhetoric could have wider consequences for peace and security in South Asia. The latest response came a day after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected Singh’s remarks. Asif said political statements from New Delhi could not alter the internationally recognised nature of the Kashmir dispute. Asif also criticised what he called intimidation and threatening rhetoric. He said Pakistan would not accept attempts to change established positions through unilateral declarations. Relations between Pakistan and India have remained tense for decades, with Kashmir continuing to be a major source of disagreement. Both countries claim the disputed region, while controlling separate parts of it. Pakistan has consistently called for the Kashmir issue to be resolved through the relevant international framework. Islamabad has also stressed the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their political future. The latest exchange of statements has further highlighted the deep differences between the two countries. Pakistan has urged India to avoid actions and statements that could worsen the regional security situation. Islamabad’s warning comes as both sides remain highly sensitive to developments involving Kashmir. Pakistani officials have repeatedly said that peace in South Asia requires dialogue and respect for international commitments.

MUZAFFARABAD: Voting in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections began on Monday in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts. Polling started at 8am and will continue until 5pm. Security has been tightened across the constituencies due to concerns over possible clashes and disturbances. Authorities have declared most of the 803 polling stations sensitive or highly sensitive. A large security contingent has been deployed to maintain law and order. Around 10,300 additional security personnel have been sent to Bagh and Haveli. Officials said the deployment was aimed at providing a safe environment for voters and election staff. The third phase was originally planned for all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. However, voting was restricted to Bagh and Haveli after authorities reviewed the security situation. The remaining seven constituencies are expected to be polled later this month. Election officials have indicated that voting could take place on August 20 or 21, depending on the security situation. The current phase has attracted considerable political attention. Several prominent leaders are contesting the four seats. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is seeking to retain his constituency. Two former prime ministers, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, are also in the electoral race. A total of 460,371 voters are eligible to cast their ballots. They include 238,664 men and 221,707 women. The election is being held at 803 polling stations. These stations have 1,254 polling booths. As many as 82 candidates are competing in the four constituencies. LA-14 Dhirkot has the highest number of candidates. Thirty candidates are contesting the seat. LA-17 Haveli has nine candidates, the lowest number among the four constituencies. In LA-17 Haveli, Prime Minister Rathore is facing PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz and independent contender Khawaja Tariq Saeed. Rathore and Saeed were previously political allies. They had reportedly agreed to contest the seat alternately. Their political relationship changed after Rathore became prime minister. Rathore sought Saeed’s withdrawal from the contest. Saeed refused to step aside. The two former allies are now competing against each other. Mohsin Aziz is also running an active campaign. His father, Chaudhry Mohammad Aziz, had won the constituency several times in the past. The PML-N candidate is expected to receive support from sections of the Gujjar community. Saeed is believed to have support among parts of the Kashmiri community and several smaller clans. Rathore has expressed confidence about retaining the seat. He has highlighted the performance of his government during his tenure. The constituency has also witnessed allegations of electoral irregularities. Claims circulated on social media about alleged manipulation by two presiding officers. Election officials rejected the allegations as presented on social media. However, they confirmed receiving complaints against the two officials. Both were subsequently removed from election duties. In LA-15 Wasti Bagh, former prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas is facing several strong contenders. The candidates include PML-N nominee and former minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas. PPP candidate and sitting minister Sardar Ziaul Qamar is also contesting. Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brigadier Dr Mohammad Khan is another key contender. Ilyas had initially announced a boycott of the third phase. He later reversed the decision and returned to the election campaign. He has described the contest as important for his political future. He has also linked his campaign to the possibility of securing a senior constitutional position after the election. Ilyas and Ziaul Qamar belong to the same Madiyal tribe. Brigadier Khan belongs to the Narma clan. He is backed by several influential Jamaat-i-Islami figures and local supporters. Mushtaq Minhas is benefiting from the PML-N’s position as the leading party in the elections held so far. The party has secured the largest number of seats in the previous phases and is expected to play a major role in forming the next government. In LA-16 Sharqi Bagh, former ministers Sardar Mir Akbar and Sardar Qamar Zaman are among the main contenders. Mir Akbar is contesting on the PML-N ticket. Qamar is representing the PPP. The LA-14 Dhirkot contest has also emerged as one of the closely watched races. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, head of the Muslim Conference, is seeking another victory from the constituency. He has represented the seat for several years and previously served as AJK prime minister. He is facing a strong challenge from Sajid Iqbal Abbasi of the Awam Dast-o-Bazu Party. Abbasi is a contractor and philanthropist. He has reportedly spent substantial personal resources on welfare and development projects in the constituency. His supporters believe his community work has helped him build a strong voter base. The contest has become more interesting because Attique and Abbasi belong to the same tribe. PML-N candidate Raja Faisal Azad and PPP nominee Raja Mubashar Ejaz are also contesting Dhirkot. However, the main competition is expected to remain between Attique and Abbasi. The results of the third phase could influence the political balance in AJK. The PML-N has already emerged as the strongest party in the earlier phases. The PPP and other political groups will now seek to strengthen their position in the remaining contests.