Thai PM Anutin Orders Evacuation Flights for Thais in Mideast

Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal has said that the first phase of the electoral process in the region was completed in a free and transparent manner. He said all political parties actively participated in the elections. He added that polling was conducted in a peaceful environment across the region. Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said voters participated in large numbers. He said people exercised their constitutional right to vote and took part in the electoral process. The chief election commissioner said the overall polling process remained peaceful. He said election authorities and other relevant institutions worked to ensure that voters could cast their ballots. He also acknowledged the role of law enforcement agencies during the elections. According to him, security personnel played an exemplary role in maintaining law and order. The chief election commissioner said security arrangements helped keep the polling environment peaceful. Law enforcement agencies remained deployed to deal with any situation that could affect the electoral process. However, he said an incident was reported in Samahni where attempts were made to disrupt polling. The people involved in creating a disturbance were arrested, he said. Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the authorities took action to ensure that polling activities were not affected. He stressed that maintaining peace was essential for a smooth electoral process. He also highlighted the participation of political parties in the elections. He said their involvement reflected the importance of the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The chief election commissioner’s statement came after the completion of the first phase of polling in the region. The election process attracted significant participation from voters. He said the authorities remained focused on ensuring transparency throughout the process. He also stressed the importance of maintaining law and order during polling. The election authorities are now expected to continue the next stages of the electoral process according to the announced schedule. The results and subsequent procedures will determine the political direction of the region. Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said the peaceful completion of the first phase was an important development. He maintained that the cooperation of political parties, voters, election officials and law enforcement agencies helped the process move forward.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged that some elements within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are weakening Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s position and creating divisions between the government and its political allies. Addressing an election rally in Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Bilawal said the PPP’s political differences with the PML-N were normal during elections. However, he claimed that the real problem was internal and involved elements within the ruling party. Bilawal said reports suggesting that the government had collapsed were incorrect. He described Prime Minister Shehbaz as a person with “good intentions”, but questioned whether the premier could succeed if people around him were working against his interests. The PPP chairman alleged that a significant section of the PML-N wanted the prime minister to confront not only opposition parties but also his coalition partners. He also criticised the phased AJK election schedule, questioning why polling was not held on a single day if the region was considered one electoral unit. Bilawal said the elections were being conducted in phases in the name of maintaining peace and ensuring free and fair polling. However, he alleged that the process had instead created opportunities for electoral manipulation. He accused the PML-N of securing seats in advance and alleged that the party had already “taken” seats in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad and was now targeting Poonch and Bagh. The PPP leader urged voters in Poonch and Bagh to respond through their votes in the upcoming elections. The AJK elections are being conducted in three phases. Polling in the Mirpur division was held on July 27, while the second phase in the Muzaffarabad division took place on August 2. The PML-N won nine of the 13 seats contested in Mirpur, while the PPP secured four. In the second phase, the PML-N won 15 additional seats in Muzaffarabad, while the PPP added six. The third phase was originally scheduled for August 10 across the Poonch division. However, the AJK Election Commission has revised the schedule because of security concerns. Under the revised plan, polling on August 10 will be held only in Bagh and Haveli districts. Elections in Poonch district and Pallandri in Sudhnoti district have been postponed. The Election Commission said it took the decision after receiving a report from the AJK home secretary highlighting concerns about the law and order situation in parts of Poonch and Pallandri. The decision follows clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot on July 27, which reportedly resulted in several casualties. Tensions have persisted in Rawalakot since early June, with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) organising periodic protests and sit-ins. The group has been demanding the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir.