AJK elections: PML-N has secured ‘charitable mandate’ through rigging: Sharjeel

KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has strongly criticized Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over their statements regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, alleging that the PML-N secured a “charitable mandate” through rigging.

Reacting to the statements, Memon said the results of the AJK elections would be remembered in history as “Form 47 Plus.” He alleged that the PML-N had once again obtained a mandate through what he described as historical rigging, claiming that the people had rejected the party in 2024 and had again expressed their decision in the 2026 elections.

“A government can be formed through a fake mandate, but popularity and genuine public support cannot be created among the people,” Memon said.

Memon said Nawaz Sharif’s statement that he had not expected the PPP government in AJK to leave room for complaints was regrettable. He said Nawaz should first examine the circumstances that led to the current political situation in Azad Kashmir before criticizing the PPP.

According to Memon, the PPP has always adhered to democratic principles, respect for the public mandate and political tolerance. He said raising questions about alleged irregularities in an electoral process was a democratic right and should not automatically be dismissed as an allegation of rigging.

“The PPP does not want enmity with any political party, nor has it ever pursued such a policy,” Memon said, stressing that political opposition should not turn into personal or political hostility. He urged all political parties and governments to follow the principle of maintaining political tolerance.

Memon said that if serious questions arose regarding any electoral process, they should be addressed through a transparent and impartial mechanism. He also rejected Maryam Nawaz’s comparison between the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir elections.

The PPP leader said his party had recognized the people’s mandate where it was given, while also expressing its reservations regarding aspects of the electoral process. “Reservations are part of democratic politics and cannot simply be ignored by calling them allegations of rigging,” he said.

Memon reiterated that the PPP had consistently advocated the rights of all federating units, strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the sanctity of the vote. He said the party had no issue with political opposition, adding that the real concern arose when state power was allegedly used to weaken or undermine the public mandate.

Memon maintained that political competition should remain within democratic boundaries and that all parties must respect the people’s right to choose their representatives.