ISLAMABAD, Aug 03 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday said the outcome of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was a direct result of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) successful campaign, urging other political parties to accept the results graciously. Talking to the media, the minister highlighted that PML-N secured victory in the second phase of the AJK polls, successfully strengthening its position to a …
Atta Tarar urges political parties to graciously accept AJK election results
ISLAMABAD, Aug 03 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday said the outcome of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections was a direct result of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) successful campaign, urging other political parties to accept the results graciously.
Talking to the media, the minister highlighted that PML-N secured victory in the second phase of the AJK polls,
successfully strengthening its position to a simple majority.
The Almighty has blessed the PML-N with victory, which has clearly perturbed some political parties, said the minister, adding the citizens and political parties actively participated in the entire democratic process through public rallies, corner meetings, and vigorous campaigns.
Highlighting democratic norms, Tarar recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set a commendable tradition by felicitating the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on their victory in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) elections.
He expressed hope the PPP and its leaders would show similar political maturity and tolerance.
Rejecting allegations leveled by Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Tarar stated that voters made their decision based on performance, public service, development, and regional prosperity.
Addressing the criticism regarding the 2024 general elections, Tarar questioned whether those same doubts applied to the outcomes of Sindh’s elections. He added that it would have been better if the irrefutable evidence were brought forth instead of baseless accusations.
Comparing past political campaigns, Tarar observed that during the GB elections, the PPP led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ran a vibrant and fruitful campaign. Likewise, during the AJK elections, PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N leadership spearheaded a far superior campaign.
“The PPP should have run a better campaign to win the elections instead of relying on political point-scoring,” he said. “Differences are part and parcel of politics, but hurling accusations without evidence is regrettable.”
He urged them to accept the results graciously and refrain from making unverified claims regarding Form 47, and congratulate the winning party.
Tarar pointed out that in his own constituency, the PPP candidate was weak and largely absent from door-to-door campaigning and public gatherings. Pre-election surveys in AJK had also reflected this reality.
Emphasizing that the elections were conducted under the local administration of an outgoing PPP-led government in AJK, Tarar remarked that questioning the transparency of the polls was tantamount to questioning their own administration’s credibility.
Public service and development were the core vision of our manifesto, he said, adding Punjab was cited a successful model during the political campaigns in AJK.
Tarar urged the PPP leaders to move forward and focus on advancing the political process in AJK.
