Bilawal Alleges Election Rigging in AJK, Vows to Reclaim PPP’s ‘Stolen’ Seats

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of placing its political interests above Pakistan’s national interest, urging the state to decide whether it would prioritize the country’s interests or those of the ruling party.

Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said his party stands with the State of Pakistan in the national interest, “not in the interest of the PML-N.” He alleged that votes in Mirpur and Kotli were “stolen” during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and vowed that the PPP would reclaim the seats it believes were taken from the party.

The PPP chairman claimed that every decision by the state appeared to favor the PML-N, warning that such an approach was damaging Kashmir, Pakistan, and its people. He alleged that attacks on polling stations and internet shutdowns during the election process undermined democratic principles, adding that the election of the AJK president should have been conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Bilawal further asserted that AJK should never resemble “occupied Kashmir” and called for the preservation of democratic norms.

PPP Chairman Criticizes AJK Electoral Process, Demands Constitutional Democracy

Bilawal thanked the people of Mirpur for supporting the PPP and claimed that the party had secured a public mandate despite alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process. He said the PPP would not remain silent over what it described as election irregularities and insisted that the party would regain all of its disputed seats through constitutional and democratic means.

Referring to violence during the polls, Bilawal alleged that a PPP worker had been killed and questioned how attacks could occur at around 30 polling stations despite security arrangements. He accused authorities of using the phased election process to facilitate electoral manipulation rather than ensure security. Reaffirming the PPP’s commitment to democracy, Bilawal said the party had always made sacrifices for democratic values and pledged to continue serving the people while fighting for what he described as their stolen mandate.