Islamabad: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Wednesday said all three phases of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections had been completed, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) securing a clear majority.
In a post on X, he said the PML-N had secured 24 seats by the conclusion of the third phase. He added that under the formula, the PML-N would also get three women’s seats and three other reserved seats, including those for overseas Pakistanis, technocrats, and Ulema and Mashaikh.
After the allocation of reserved seats, the PML-N’s total strength would rise to 30 seats, he said.
Dr Tariq Fazal said the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly session would be convened next week, during which newly elected members would take oath and elections for reserved seats would also be held.
He said elections for the speaker and prime minister of Azad Kashmir would also be completed next week. ‘A stable and strong government is going to be established in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, ‘ he said, adding that a strong government was essential in view of the prevailing circumstances.
The minister said the AJK elections had been conducted in a clean, transparent and credible manner. He said there had been zero tolerance for any act of disorder or rigging during the elections.
Dr Tariq Fazal said the candidate who allegedly took away a ballot box from a polling station in LA-6 Mirpur was immediately arrested. He congratulated the administration, law enforcement agencies and the Election Commission on conducting transparent elections.
He said transparent elections had enhanced the credibility of the Election Commission, administration and law enforcement agencies. Regarding a rigging complaint lodged by PML-N candidate Mohsin Aziz in Haveli, he said a transparent investigation should be conducted.
He expressed hope that the Election Commission would address complaints regarding the Haveli constituency strictly on merit.
