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Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Faruqui has alleged that her party believes in the power of the vote, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) relies on other means to secure political success. Speaking during a television programme on Monday, Faruqui claimed that an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), giving the impression that the election mandate had already been secured. She argued that announcements of development initiatives, including Green Bus projects, before polling day amounted to pre-poll rigging. According to her, even if the PML-N succeeds in forming a government in AJK with the current mandate, it will struggle to effectively serve the people. Faruqui also questioned the handling of polling in constituencies where the PPP traditionally enjoys strong public support. She alleged that polling staff arrived late in several such areas, raising concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. Referring to the killing of a PPP worker, she claimed that the incident was initially described as resulting from either a push or a heart attack, despite the party maintaining that the worker had been deliberately targeted. The PPP leader further said the AJK elections should not be viewed through the political lens of Lahore or Karachi, as the region has its own unique issues and priorities. She maintained that the people of Azad Kashmir have a longstanding bond with the PPP and asserted that no other political party enjoys the same level of public support in the region. The PML-N has not publicly responded to Faruqui’s allegations. Meanwhile, results from the second phase of the AJK elections continue to emerge, with the PML-N maintaining a clear lead according to unofficial results.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that around 11 million people in Pakistan are living with hepatitis C, while a large number of cases remain undiagnosed because many people have not undergone screening. Addressing a ceremony in Karachi, the minister highlighted several major public health challenges facing the country. He said around 80% of people in Sindh do not have access to clean drinking water. Kamal said approximately 11,000 mothers die every year during childbirth, while around 400,000 children die annually. He also claimed that one in every three people in the country suffers from diabetes. He expressed concern that Pakistan is still recognised as a polio-affected country. According to the health minister, nearly 68% of diseases are linked to the consumption of contaminated water, highlighting the need for improved water and sanitation facilities. Speaking about healthcare services in the area, Kamal said the site where the ceremony was held previously operated as a federal government dispensary. The facility currently provides medical services from 8am until noon. He said telemedicine services had been introduced at the dispensary as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare. Doctors can now examine patients remotely through online consultations. The minister announced that the dispensary would be upgraded into a secondary-care hospital. He said it was the fourth location where the federal government had laid the foundation for a secondary hospital. The new facility will have 40 beds and will provide a range of medical services. Kamal said the hospital would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs660 million and was expected to be completed within four months. The hospital will also provide emergency services around the clock, he added. Kamal said residents would no longer need to travel long distances for X-rays and other essential medical services once the hospital becomes operational. The federal health minister acknowledged that securing approval and funding for development projects from the federal government was not an easy process. He said the private sector would also be brought on board to improve the management of the healthcare facility. Kamal further said the federal government had allocated Rs2.86 billion for plans to expand and upgrade dispensaries across the country. The announcements are part of the government’s efforts to expand basic healthcare services and improve access to medical facilities, particularly in areas where residents have limited access to hospitals and diagnostic services.