ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Monday said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured a simple majority to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after winning 23 of the 45 seats in the legislative assembly elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Sanaullah said the PML-N won 13 seats in the second phase of the AJK elections, including four of the seven constituencies in Muzaffarabad. He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured three seats in the same phase.
PML-N wins majority of refugee seats
Sanaullah said the PML-N also won 10 of the 12 refugee seats, while the PPP secured the remaining two, giving the ruling party a total of 23 seats, enough to claim a simple majority in the 45-member assembly.
He noted that polling in the LA-27 constituency was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, while voting in LA-27 and LA-28 constituencies will be held on Tuesday at 54 polling stations.
The advisor added that the PML-N parliamentary party would meet after the completion of the third phase of elections on August 10 to discuss the formation of the next AJK government.
PML-N leads in second phase
The second phase of the AJK elections was held in the Muzaffarabad Division on Sunday, where the PML-N emerged as the leading party by winning 13 of the 18 constituencies declared so far, according to unofficial and provisional results.
Pakistan Peoples party secured five seats in the second phase, placing it second in the electoral contest.
Adviser on Political Affairs @RanaSanaullahPK has said that the #PMLN has secured a simple majority to form government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir#AJKElections #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/OveTrXjXxq pic.twitter.com/iac0fUzi8k
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 3, 2026
PPP rejects election results
Addressing a son Sunday, senior PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf rejected the election process, describing the mandate as “fake” and alleging that the polls were neither free, fair nor transparent.
Sanaullah dismisses rigging allegations
Responding to the allegations, Rana Sanaullah accused the PPP of collaborating with the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to disrupt the electoral process in Azad Kashmir.
He claimed the PPP began alleging rigging as soon as polling started after failing to perform well in the first phase of the elections.
According to Sanaullah, the PPP initially raised objections regarding 13 constituencies, but later reduced its complaints to four and eventually two after being asked to provide evidence.
“We even offered to conduct a forensic audit of the polling stations where rigging was alleged,” he said, insisting that polling remained free, fair and transparent throughout election day.
Sanaullah also alleged that attempts were made to influence the constituency of PPP candidate and AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, including efforts to deploy Sindh police personnel in the area.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said the elections in AJK is the triumph of democracy. He said that the commitments made with the people of AJK for the progress and development of the territory will be fulfilled.
Also Read: Polling in Second Phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Elections Concludes Peacefully
PM Shehbaz congratulates PML-N leadership
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and the party’s successful candidates on their performance in the second phase of the AJK elections.
PM @CMShehbaz has said development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the welfare of its people are among the top priorities of the #PMLN@PakPMO #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/aPfvwt6JKk pic.twitter.com/AyaAgBFVXD
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 3, 2026
In a statement, the prime minister described the victory as the result of the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and the hard work of the party’s workers and campaign team.
He said the election results reflected the people of Azad Kashmir’s confidence in the PML-N’s policies and reaffirmed that the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of AJK remain among the federal government’s top priorities.
Shehbaz Sharif also acknowledged the participation of political parties in the second phase of the elections, describing the democratic process as an important step for the region.
