ISLAMABAD: Negotiations between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) over alleged irregularities in the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections have reportedly moved forward, with another round of talks scheduled for Friday, sources said.
According to sources, the PPP delegation will include Senator Nayyar Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Nadeem Afzal Chan. Representing the government in the discussions will be Rana Sanaullah, Amir Muqam and Murtaza Javed Abbasi.
The previous meeting was largely focused on concerns surrounding the AJK elections. During the talks, PPP leaders raised objections to the electoral process and submitted what they described as evidence of rigging in four constituencies of Mirpur Division.
Sources said the constituencies associated with Chaudhry Yasin, Javed Budhanvi, Pervez Ashraf and Chaudhry Ikhlaq were specifically discussed. In the upcoming meeting, the PPP is also expected to seek assurances of transparent elections in Muzaffarabad Division and on the migrant (Muhajir) seats.
After the earlier round of negotiations, the PPP delegation briefed Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the progress. Following internal consultations, the party leadership expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and approved continuing discussions with the government.
Political tensions between the PML-N and PPP have intensified after the PPP accused the ruling party of manipulating the AJK election results.
Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarabad, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to participate in the democratic process instead of boycotting elections.
“If you want to boycott, then stay at home,” Bilawal said. “Instead of boycotting, contest the elections and engage with the people.”
He stressed that the right to self-determination is inseparable from the protection of the public mandate, warning that any attempt to undermine the people’s vote in Azad Kashmir would have political consequences at the federal level.
Bilawal also claimed that the PPP had submitted evidence, including videos, to support its allegations of rigging in the Mirpur constituencies. He warned that the party would not accept electoral manipulation and called for a fair and transparent process.
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