The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission, taking exception to violations of the election code of conduct, on Saturday warned political parties that such breaches would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that it was taking all necessary measures to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The warning came a day after PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif made several pre-poll promises, including an international airport for Mirpur, revival of Mansehra-Muzaffarabad-Mirpur motorway project, and a series of 'gifts' for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as he and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made a final campaign push for party's candidates hours before the electioneering ended for the Mirpur division polls. Despite the warning, ten state-of-the-art electric buses gifted by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reached AJK capital Muzaffarabad on Saturday.
The PML-N described the move as the fulfilment of a commitment made by party leader Nawaz Sharif to the people of the region. The convoy of electric buses, which departed from Islamabad a day earlier, was welcomed on its arrival in AJK by PML-N leaders, party workers and local residents, who greeted the vehicles with slogans. Maryam confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the green buses had arrived in the regional capital, sharing a video that showed several of the vehicles bearing posters with her picture.
The PML-N's Friday announcement had not gone well with the PPP, which described it as "political bribery". It then approached the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it termed a violation of the election code of conduct. Subsequently, an Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers were free to participate in electioneering in AJK but could not use official protocol, government resources or the state machinery for electoral purposes.
"The federal and provincial ministers may campaign in the elections, but they cannot use official protocol or government resources," an AJK Election Commission spokesperson said, adding that the use of government machinery for electoral purposes would constitute a violation of the code of conduct. The spokesperson said the announcement of new development schemes or financial packages during th… The arrival of a fleet of green electric buses promised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders for Muzaffarabad has sparked a fresh political and legal debate just days before the first phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections, with the AJK Election Commission warning that no new development schemes, financial packages or government resources can be introduced or used during the election period in violation of the code of conduct.
The controversy follows recent election rallies addressed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during which they unveiled a series of development initiatives for AJK, including the provision of 10 green electric buses each for Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, along with several other public welfare projects. Shortly after the announcements, the first fleet of ten electric buses reached Muzaffarabad, drawing attention from political observers and raising questions over whether the move is compatible with election laws governing the campaign period. Without referring to any specific project, an Election Commission spokesperson reiterated on Saturday that the announcement of any new development scheme, financial package or public welfare initiative by the federal or provincial governments during the election period constitutes a violation of the election code of conduct.
قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نواز شریف کا آزاد جموں و کشمیر سے کیا وعدہ پورا۔ وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز کی طرف سے جدید ترین 10 الیکٹرو بسوں کا تحفہ آزاد کشمیر پہنچ گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/WcbcdxRgjZ — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 25, 2026 The spokesperson said the commission is legally empowered to confiscate any vehicles, equipment or other government-funded facilities dispatched during the election campaign and initiate proceedings against those responsible if the law is breached. The commission further clarified that although federal and provincial ministers are free to campaign for their respective political parties, they are barred from using official vehicles, state protocol, public funds, government employees or any state machinery for electioneering. Read: Nawaz pledges airport, hospitals for Mirpur ahead of AJK elections Calling upon all political parties and candidates to strictly observe the code of conduct, the spokesperson said compliance with election laws was essential to ensuring that the upcoming polls remain free…
Summary from source